Amari Cooper’s rookie contract has been extended.
The Raiders exercised their fifth-year option on 2015’s No. 4 overall pick, the team announced on Monday, keeping the receiver under contract through the 2019 season. The Silver and Black plan on keep Cooper around far longer than that, with an eye toward a long-term extension down the road.
“We really like Amari,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said Friday.
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McKenzie wouldn’t commit to exercising his fifth-year option during his pre-draft press conference, though exercising it was never in doubt.
Cooper will make $13.9 million in 2019, a sum that stems from averaging the top 10 salaries among players at his position. The option is guaranteed for injury only right now, but becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2019 league year.
Cooper has been excellent early in his NFL career, with 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in three professional seasons. Last year was his worst, with just 680 yards and effectiveness lost due to injury.
Cooper is just 23 years old, with a bright future ahead if he can stay healthy.
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Head coach Jon Gruden has said Cooper will be the passing game’s primary weapon in his new offensive scheme.
"He has to get healthy and stay healthy," Gruden said. "We need him to be the player he was the first two years. I've said it earlier. We're going to make him the main vein of our passing offense and move him around a lot. "…We are really excited about him. I think he's entering the prime of his career. "