Former Raiders All-Pro disapproves of possible free agent reunion

While the Las Vegas Raiders have reason to be excited about their receiving corps, the fact of the matter is that there is nothing concrete about the group yet.

Outside of Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders have question marks regarding the rest of their wide receivers. Third-year receiver Tre Tucker has been used more as a field stretcher, while rookies Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott are all unproven commodities. Having tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer should help, but the Raiders have still been linked to some of the veteran pass-catching options available in free agency.

However, despite the history between the Raiders and one of the top options on the market, a former All-Pro is firmly against putting the band back together.

Should the Raiders take advice from this former franchise great?

On the “Locked On Raiders Podcast,” former Raiders offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy expressed serious disapproval when it came to his former team possibly bringing back wide receiver Amari Cooper.

“Let me preface this by saying that I remember when Amari was drafted. I was one of the first guys on the Raiders to interview him. I looked in his eyes and realized he didn’t want to be a Raider,” Kennedy said. “He didn’t enjoy his time in Oakland, that’s why he couldn’t wait to get out of there. … My point for Amari is [that] he never took the next step to develop his route-running skills. He is not a good route-running receiver. … That’s all Amari Cooper is, is a name. I don’t think they should do it.”

Kennedy’s opinion is certainly the harshest critique regarding Cooper, but the Raiders do at least have to consider all of their options.

Since the Raiders traded Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, the Raiders have changed virtually everything about their organization, but it is unclear if he would even consider suiting up for the Silver and Black again. Cooper coming off the worst season of his career with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills could also convince the Raiders not to take a swing on a potentially declining asset. However, if the team is convinced that the 2015 fourth overall pick has something left in the tank, then there is no reason not to come to an agreement if both sides are interested.

Kennedy has earned the right to voice his opinion in regards to his former club, but the football minds in the front office are the only ones who can make the final say.