Kansas City, MO – April 29, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs electrified their offense Tuesday, signing former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper to a two-year, $37.8 million deal in free agency, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The five-time Pro Bowler, long coveted by Chiefs Kingdom, arrives to fill the WR1 void after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cooper, 30, recorded 24 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Bills in 2024, following a midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns (PFF grade 74.6, NFL.com). His 9,736 career yards and elite route running (85% separation rate) make him a dynamic fit for Andy Reid’s RPO scheme, complementing Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown. “Amari’s a difference-maker,” Reid told reporters, eyeing Cooper’s 1,250-yard 2023 season to ignite an offense hampered by Rashee Rice’s suspension risks.
Chiefs receive: WR Amari Cooper on a two-year, $37.8 million contract ($18.9 million cap hit in 2025).
Bills’ role: Cooper, an unrestricted free agent, was not re-signed after his 2024 contract expired.
With $12.7 million in cap space, Kansas City leveraged cuts to Mike Danna and Nikko Remigio to absorb Cooper’s $18.9 million hit, restructuring contracts to fit (Spotrac). The Chiefs, who drafted Simmons, Norman-Lott, Gillotte, Williams, Royals, Bassa, and Smith, sought a veteran to replace Hopkins. Cooper’s signing fulfills years of trade rumors, dating back to his Browns tenure .
“Amari elevates our ceiling,” GM Brett Veach said. The Bills, pivoting to Keon Coleman, let Cooper walk. With three remaining picks, including No. 226, Kansas City eyes safety depth like Andrew Mukuba. Cooper’s arrival, a long-awaited coup, galvanizes Chiefs Kingdom’s 2025 Super Bowl dreams, arming Mahomes with a proven star to chase a championship.
