The San Francisco 49ers have been making waves this offseason, locking up stars like Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Fred Warner with hefty extensions, but the rumor mill’s still churning—and it’s pointing to one more splash: signing free-agent wide receiver Amari Cooper. With the 2025 season on the horizon and the Niners’ receiving corps looking shakier than a rookie QB in the pocket, a five-time Pro Bowler like Cooper could be the spark San Francisco needs to get back to the Super Bowl. Let’s break down why this move makes sense, and why it’s got fans and analysts buzzing.
The 49ers’ wide receiver room is in a weird spot right now. Brandon Aiyuk, their top dog, is recovering from a brutal knee injury—torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus—that might keep him sidelined or less than 100% until 2026. Deebo Samuel, once the heart and soul of this offense, is now suiting up for the Washington Commanders. That leaves Jauan Jennings, a gritty possession receiver who’s clutch but not a true WR1, and rookie Ricky Pearsall, who’s shown flashes of brilliance but is still greener than Levi’s Stadium turf. Oh, and Demarcus Robinson? He was supposed to be a key piece, but a DUI arrest in November has him facing a likely suspension, leaving his availability up in the air. With Brock Purdy coming off a monster $265 million extension, the Niners can’t afford to leave their QB hanging with a thin group of pass-catchers.
Enter Amari Cooper. The 30-year-old isn’t the All-Pro he was in his prime, but don’t sleep on him—he’s still got the kind of skills that make defensive backs sweat. Cooper’s a route-running wizard, carving up secondaries with precision and creating separation like few others. Even in a down 2024 season split between Cleveland and Buffalo, where he posted 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games, he showed he’s still got it. His catch rate jumped from a shaky 45.3% with the Browns to a crisp 62.5% after landing with the Bills, proving he can still be a reliable target when the situation’s right. For a 49ers team that needs someone to take pressure off Jennings and complement a recovering Aiyuk, Cooper feels like a perfect fit.
Why’s this move so tempting? For one, the Niners have the cash to make it happen. With the third-most effective cap space in the NFL, per OverTheCap.com, they’ve got room to sign Cooper to a low-risk, one-year deal without breaking the bank. It’s the kind of move that screams “why not?”—minimal downside, massive upside. Cooper wouldn’t need to be the focal point of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which is already loaded with playmakers like Christian McCaffrey (even if he’s showing some wear and tear) and Kittle. Instead, he’d be a savvy veteran who can stretch the field, mentor young guys like Pearsall, and keep defenses honest. Imagine Cooper running those crisp routes in Shanahan’s system, giving Purdy a dependable target on third-and-6. That’s the kind of addition that turns a good offense into a great one.
Now, let’s talk about that down year. Sure, Cooper’s 2024 numbers weren’t eye-popping, but context matters. He was battling injuries and bouncing between two teams with different schemes and quarterbacks. When he got to Buffalo, he started looking like the Pro Bowler we know, with that improved catch rate and a knack for making big plays. In San Francisco, he’d be stepping into a well-oiled machine, with Shanahan’s creative play-calling and Purdy’s quick decision-making setting him up to succeed. Plus, at 30, he’s still got enough gas in the tank to make a difference, especially if he’s not asked to carry the load.
The bigger picture here is Purdy. The kid’s got a $265 million contract and the keys to the 49ers’ offense, but he needs weapons to maximize his potential. McCaffrey’s not getting any younger, and with Aiyuk’s recovery uncertain, the Niners can’t bank on “next man up” to get them through a brutal NFC West. Cooper’s experience could stabilize the WR room, giving Purdy a go-to guy while Pearsall develops and Jennings keeps grinding. It’s not about Cooper being the long-term answer—it’s about giving this team the best shot at a Super Bowl in 2025.
Some fans on X are skeptical, arguing Cooper might not fit Shanahan’s team-first culture or that signing him could crowd out younger guys like Pearsall or Jacob Cowing. Others point out the 49ers were sniffing around big names like Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams earlier, so a move for Cooper wouldn’t be out of character. Either way, with the cap space and a clear need at receiver, this feels like a no-brainer. As one analyst put it, “Why not?” If the Niners want to keep pace with the NFC’s elite, Cooper could be the piece that gets them over the hump.
