The Week 12 Thanksgiving clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders will feature several intriguing storylines to watch, including it being wide receiver Amari Cooper's first career game against his former team.
Cooper spent four seasons with the Raiders before being traded to the Cowboys over the 2018 season. He had a fair share of success during his time with the Raiders, which included 19 receiving touchdowns recorded and a 14.1 receiving yards per reception average in 52 such games.
As Cooper was in the fourth year of his rookie deal with the team, there was much speculation as to whether he would come to terms with Raiders team officials on a multiyear extension deal. But in the end, the Raiders opted to trade him to Dallas instead for a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, which they ended up taking safety Johnathan Abram with.
Now-former Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie noted following the trade that the team simply could not pass up the opportunity to acquire a first-round pick for him.
Three years later, Cooper has no hard feelings over the trade, which he opened up about during a press conference on Thursday.
“I don't have any bitter feelings,” Cooper said. “I can't say that I do just because I really do understand the business.
“The production wasn't what it needed to be. That's really the only way a team will get rid of you. So I understand.”
Cooper also took responsibility for his struggles at times during his time with the Raiders.
“Yeah, I mean I do take responsibility because I did have some drops when I was there,” Cooper said. “So I do take responsibility for that.”
The eighth-year wideout has so far made the most out of his run in Dallas due to the stout 24 receiving touchdowns recorded in 50 games played.
Cooper sure will look to help Dallas move to an 8-2 record in Week 11 with a possible win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Follow Us
Subscribe