Jets are running out of excuses not to sign this former Pro Bowler

It’s no secret around the NFL — the New York Jets are desperate for receiver help. Garrett Wilson, the lone pillar of consistency in the room, was just rewarded with a four-year extension that keeps him in Florham Park through 2030. Beyond him, however, there’s little support in new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s system.

As it stands right now, the Jets' WR2 is Josh Reynolds, who has never surpassed 650 receiving yards in a season, or Tyler Johnson, who is going on his fourth team in six seasons. Fourth-round rookie Arian Smith has been having a strong summer, but it may not be enough.

With Justin Fields under center, the Jets need as many game-changing weapons as they can get, and even fans on social media are clamoring for them to make a move to bolster their depth at the position.

While players like Gabe Davis, Tyler Boyd, and former Jet Jamison Crowder are still free agents, a former Pro Bowler is also still available, and he could be exactly what the Jets need alongside Wilson.

Amari Cooper could be the WR the Jets have spent all offseason searching for

That wide receiver is five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper. The Alabama product has racked up over 10,000 career receiving yards with 64 touchdown receptions in 10 seasons.

Cooper has also long been known as one of the best route runners in the NFL, which could make life easier for both Fields, who remains an unproven passer, and Wilson.

But while the 31-year-old boasts a strong NFL pedigree, he remains a free agent because he comes with no shortage of question marks.

While he has surpassed the 1,000-yard threshold seven times, he struggled in Cleveland in 2024 before being traded to Buffalo at the trade deadline. Cooper was expected to emerge as a game-changer in Buffalo, catching passes from Josh Allen, but he was mostly a non-factor.

The Miami native finished with just 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, both of which marked career lows. But he still amassed 1,250 receiving yards on a career-high 17.4 yards per reception in 2023, so maybe calling Cooper “washed” might be a stretch.

Even if he isn’t the multi-time Pro Bowler he was with the Raiders or Cowboys, the former No. 4 pick still has enough in the tank to be a productive depth receiver.

After all, the Jets have nothing to lose by taking a chance on the veteran experience the former Biletnikoff winner provides. Cooper is still a clear upgrade over Reynolds, Johnson, and Allen Lazard, so if the Jets want to end their playoff drought, signing him is a chance worth taking.

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