Buffalo Bills Make a Big Play with Amari Cooper Trade

The Buffalo Bills are making headlines once again, not just for their dominant Monday night football win over the New York Jets, but for an exciting trade that could significantly impact their season. Just hours after their latest victory, the Bills announced they had traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper. This strategic move addresses a glaring need in Buffalo’s offense—a legitimate number one receiving threat.

 

This article breaks down what the addition of Amari Cooper means for the Bills, evaluates their current season, and explores how this trade could help propel Buffalo back into the Super Bowl conversation. Let’s dive in.

Buffalo Bills: Off to a Strong Start, But There’s Room for Improvement

The Buffalo Bills are coming off a narrow win against the New York Jets, but the result was more important for what it symbolized than the final score. Despite some ups and downs, the Bills are in a good position early in the season. Their offense has shown promise, and their defense has been surprisingly strong, even with significant personnel losses.

Josh Allen has been playing well overall, though the offense has shown signs of struggle, especially in recent weeks. His performances have had moments of brilliance, including his impressive MVP-worthy play early in the season, but the Bills’ offense has lacked consistency in some key areas.

Josh Allen: Playing Smart, But Can the Bills’ Offense Take the Next Step?

One of the major storylines in Buffalo this year has been Josh Allen’s ability to limit turnovers. For the first time in his career, Allen has gone through the first six games without throwing an interception—a significant improvement. However, his yardage has been lower than expected. Through the first six weeks, Allen is averaging just 193 passing yards per game, his lowest since 2019.

This could be a sign that the Bills’ offense is not operating at its usual high-octane level. Although Allen has been smart with the football, the offense has been more methodical and less explosive, which is unusual for a team that prides itself on deep ball threats and high-scoring games.

Additionally, despite Allen’s growth and maturity as a quarterback, there have been moments when the offense hasn’t been able to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In the win against the Jets, Allen was responsible for all three touchdowns, but he finished the game with just 215 yards passing—a far cry from the numbers we expect from the Bills’ offense.

Amari Cooper: A Much-Needed Weapon for Josh Allen

Enter Amari Cooper, the new face of the Buffalo Bills’ receiving corps. The Bills traded for the veteran wide receiver just days after their win over the Jets, sending a third and a seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cooper. Cooper is far from the elite receiver status of someone like Davante Adams, but he brings a much-needed boost to Buffalo’s offense.

Why Amari Cooper?

The Bills have struggled with a clear number-one option for Allen, especially after losing Stefon Diggs’ support in the past seasons. While Diggs remains a key player on the roster, the Bills have lacked a reliable perimeter threat who can consistently win on the outside. With Cooper now in the mix, the Bills gain a dependable, experienced wide receiver who can stretch the field and create separation.

The most exciting part of the trade for the Bills is the cost. Cooper restructured his contract, allowing Buffalo to acquire him for just $887,000 for the remainder of the season. This gives the Bills immediate help at a low financial cost, freeing up more resources to strengthen other areas of the roster.

Amari Cooper’s Impact on Buffalo’s Passing Game

Amari Cooper’s addition will likely alleviate some of the pressure on Josh Allen. His ability to win one-on-one matchups on the perimeter will open up opportunities for other receivers, such as Khalil Shakir, to step up in more favorable situations. Cooper is not necessarily a game-changer like some of the top-tier wide receivers in the NFL, but he is a reliable and consistent option. This is something the Bills desperately need as they move forward.

Cooper’s presence should also help open up the Bills’ offense in other ways. With teams now forced to pay attention to a second legitimate threat in Cooper, it will create more space for Diggs and potentially ignite Buffalo’s passing attack, which has been sluggish at times.

Buffalo’s Strengths: A Balanced Offense and Solid Defense

While the addition of Cooper is undoubtedly a big move for the Bills, it’s important not to overlook the broader context of the team’s performance this season.

Improved Running Game

One of the biggest surprises for the Bills in 2023 has been the development of their running game. James Cook, who has emerged as the lead back, has provided Buffalo with a much-needed ground game. Even though Cook was unavailable in the win against the Jets due to injury, Ray Davis stepped up in his absence, rushing for 97 yards on 20 carries. This kind of performance from the running game not only helps balance the offense but also alleviates some pressure off Allen.

With a strong offensive line and a capable running back committee, Buffalo’s offense is now better equipped to execute a more balanced game plan. This opens up new dimensions to their attack and should complement the passing game moving forward.

Defense: Surprisingly Strong Despite Key Departures

Another key factor in Buffalo’s success this season has been their defense. Despite losing several key pieces from last season, including linebacker Matt Milano, the defense has held its own. The Bills have a talented secondary, with players like Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp emerging as reliable safeties. Additionally, cornerback Taron Johnson’s game-sealing interception against the Jets is a testament to the defensive prowess of this group.

The Bills also boast a strong pass rush, led by players like Ed Oliver, and their linebackers, while young, have stepped up when needed. The overall defensive performance has been a pleasant surprise, and with the addition of Cooper to the offense, Buffalo’s defense can afford to take even more risks as they look to dominate games on both sides of the ball.

The Road Ahead: Super Bowl Hopes Still Alive for Buffalo

While the Bills’ current record and performance have been strong, the team is far from a finished product. The offense still needs to find its rhythm, especially now that they have added Amari Cooper. However, this trade signals the Bills’ intent to make a serious push for the Super Bowl this season.

The addition of Cooper strengthens Buffalo’s Super Bowl aspirations, but it also places a lot of pressure on Allen and the rest of the offense to perform at a higher level. If they can capitalize on this move, we could see the Bills emerge as a dominant force in the AFC.

Conclusion: Buffalo Bills Are Poised for a Playoff Push

In summary, the Buffalo Bills are addressing their biggest need by trading for Amari Cooper, a reliable, experienced wide receiver who should immediately help elevate their offense. With an improving defense, a strong running game, and the addition of Cooper, Buffalo is in a great position to compete for the AFC East title and make a deep playoff run.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the offense evolves and whether Cooper can quickly integrate into the system. But for now, the Bills’ future looks bright.

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