In an official statement released on Monday afternoon, the Oakland Raiders announced that the team has signed veteran offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper. He will give the AFC West franchise some additional depth up the middle as fellow guard Richie Incognito prepares to serve a two-game suspension to begin the 2019 regular season.
Incognito was given the two-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
The #Raiders announced they have signed veteran guard Jonathan Cooper, depth that becomes valuable with the looming Richie Incognito suspension.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2019
The 29-year-old Cooper was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 7 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, where he was named an All-American. Since then, he has suited up for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins in addition to the aforementioned Cardinals. Now a member of the Raiders, it remains to be seen as to whether Cooper can fit with head coach Jon Gruden and company in Oakland.
As for the Raiders as a whole, the once heralded franchise has encountered a busy offseason this time around. In addition to adding the tandem of Cooper and Incognito, the Raiders most notably managed to acquire former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown for close to nothing. After parting with current Dallas Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper midway through last season, the Raiders have paired quarterback Derek Carr with yet another Pro Bowl-caliber pass catcher: Brown.
Of course, the Raiders will be forced to deal with both the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
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