Amari Cooper Declares: 'I’m Here to Bring the Raiders Back to Glory – We’re Going All the Way!'
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper is making a statement ahead of the 2025 NFL season that is bound to stir up excitement among fans and rivals alike. After rejoining the Raiders in the offseason, Cooper has been vocal about his mission—he didn’t come back just to play; he came back to lead the Raiders to their first Super Bowl in over two decades.
"I didn’t come back to just play; I came back to lead. The Raiders are built for greatness, and I’m here to bring that championship to Las Vegas. We’re not stopping until we’re on top." – Amari Cooper
Cooper, one of the most skilled and consistent receivers in the league, is no stranger to high expectations. After a standout career with the Dallas Cowboys, Cooper returned to the Raiders with a renewed sense of purpose. His leadership on and off the field has been a crucial asset as the Raiders look to make a run at the AFC Championship. In his first stint with the Raiders, Cooper was one of the league's top targets. Now, back with the Silver and Black, he’s aiming to lead the offense to a level that’s been absent for the team since their last playoff appearance.
Las Vegas has made significant strides in recent seasons, with quarterback Derek Carr continuing to evolve and a defense that’s improved under head coach Josh McDaniels. But the missing piece for the Raiders’ Super Bowl aspirations has always been that top-tier playmaking ability on offense. With Cooper in the fold, the team now has one of the best route runners and playmakers in the game.
Cooper’s addition to the offense gives Carr a reliable No. 1 target, complementing a talented group that includes tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. With the addition of rookies and key free-agent acquisitions, the Raiders’ offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive in the league. But it’s Cooper’s veteran leadership that could elevate this unit to another level.
"The Raiders are ready to dominate the AFC. This is our time to shine, and I’m taking us all the way to the top." – Amari Cooper
Beyond the offensive weapons, Cooper knows that championship teams need a strong defense to back them up. The Raiders’ defense has shown promise in recent years, with playmakers like Maxx Crosby and Trayvon Mullen stepping up. As the season progresses, the Raiders will need their defense to perform at an elite level to complement their explosive offense. If both sides of the ball can come together, Las Vegas could be primed for a deep playoff run.
Cooper’s message is clear: the Raiders are not just aiming to make the playoffs, they’re going for it all. The AFC West remains one of the most competitive divisions in football, with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos both hungry for success. But Cooper is undeterred. With his leadership, the talent on the roster, and a strong sense of purpose, the Raiders are ready to fight for their first Super Bowl appearance in years.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Amari Cooper. If he can back up his bold declaration with stellar play on the field, the Raiders may just find themselves back in the playoff picture—and perhaps even making a run at the Lombardi Trophy.
Reed Blankenship's recommendation paved the way for former Eagles DB's return
Many characteristics go into being a true leader on a team, and Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship is proving that time and time again.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was speaking to the media on Sunday when he discussed the team bringing back safety Marcus Epps. Sirianni shared the story of how Blankenship made the recommendation for the team to sign Epps.
"One thing when we were talking about bringing Marcus back, Reed Blankenship would talk to us about how much Marcus helped him develop as a player and helped learn the scheme, so (Marcus Epps is) really sharp, and he's got great leadership qualities," Sirianni said via Eagles Wire. "t's awesome that that's the memory Reed has of Marcus, that he introduced him into this thing when he was a rookie and Marcus was in his fourth year, and he helped him grow.”
Blankenship was an undrafted rookie for the Eagles in 2022, while Epps was in his third year with the team. That would be Epps' first full season as a starter at safety, as he helped the Eagles make the Super Bowl.
More proof that Blankenship is more ready than ever to be a leader on the defense
There was so much veteran leadership that left the Eagles' defense in the offseason with Darius Slay, Brandon Graham, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Josh Sweat. It caused many in the media to worry about who would be able to step up, but Slay had told everyone to keep their eye on Blankenship.
So far, it has not been a disappointment with Blankenship. He's entering his fourth season in the NFL and has been a full-time starter for the last two. During his three-year career, Blankenship has racked up 225 tackles, 19 pass deflections, eight interceptions, two fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit in 40 games.
This past week, he was named as one of the eight team captains for the Eagles. He and Zack Baun were the only defenders to earn the "C" on their uniforms.
Eagles fans can't be more excited to see Blankenship take a step up in his leadership as he's looking to prove to general manager Howie Roseman that he deserves a new contract with the team. With how he's playing, that might come sooner rather than later.
