49ers Nation: Amari Cooper Emerges as Ideal Fit for Depleted San Francisco Receiving Corps
May 26, 2025 — San Francisco, CA
With training camp just weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers face a troubling reality: their wide receiver room, once considered among the NFL’s most dangerous,
has quickly become one of its weakest. Following a string of injuries, departures, and potential disciplinary issues, the 49ers are under pressure to bolster Brock Purdy’s arsenal. Enter Amari Cooper.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton is the latest to call for action, suggesting that the 49ers should pursue Cooper, one of the most experienced and reliable free-agent wide receivers still on the market. At 30, Cooper remains a top-tier route runner with elite separation skills, and his veteran presence could be exactly what San Francisco needs in a critical 2025 campaign.
“The 49ers agreed to terms on a five-year, $265 million extension with quarterback Brock Purdy,” Moton wrote. “Now, they must add another proven playmaker at receiver to help support him. Brandon Aiyuk might miss half the 2025 campaign recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Demarcus Robinson is also facing a potential suspension. The team must act now.”
A Receiving Corps in Disarray
It’s hard to imagine a team that boasted Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle just a year ago now scrambling for answers at wideout. But that’s the 49ers’ current predicament.
Aiyuk’s devastating knee injury — a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus — will likely sideline him until late in the 2025 season or even into 2026. Jauan Jennings, while a capable and physical receiver, is more suited to the No. 2 or No. 3 role — not the WR1 responsibilities he’s now being asked to shoulder.
Meanwhile, rookie Ricky Pearsall, though promising, is untested outside of one standout game and remains a developmental prospect. Add to that the offseason departure of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and Demarcus Robinson’s looming three-game suspension stemming from a DUI arrest, and it’s clear the 49ers’ pass-catching options are dangerously thin.
Why Amari Cooper Makes Sense
Cooper offers the 49ers a much-needed combination of experience, consistency, and professionalism. In 2024, he recorded 1,128 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns, proving he’s still capable of WR1 production. His ability to quickly grasp a playbook and develop timing with quarterbacks makes him a low-risk, high-reward target — especially on a short-term deal.
Moreover, with Purdy now locked into a long-term, $265 million extension, the 49ers must do everything possible to surround him with playmakers. Adding Cooper would allow Kyle Shanahan to maintain flexibility in his offensive design and alleviate the pressure currently being placed on Jennings and Pearsall.
The Clock Is Ticking
With OTAs underway and preseason looming, the window to add a veteran presence is shrinking. Cooper remains unsigned, and the 49ers have the cap space and roster need to make the deal happen.
If San Francisco wants to remain in Super Bowl contention while Aiyuk recovers and the rest of the receiving corps finds its rhythm, signing Amari Cooper isn’t just a good idea — it may be a necessity.
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