Cooper is happy to have a 'blank canvas' with Bill

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Amari Cooper drives himself on I-90 East from Cleveland to Buffalo, New York, just a three-hour drive along Lake Erie.

Tuesday's drive came within hours of being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills. With his phone ringing as he drove to his new team, Cooper was trying to take in what had happened and wondered what was in store for him.

“It felt like a long drive on my first day of school,” Cooper said, later describing it as an “introvert drive.”

In his first full day at the Bills facility on Wednesday, Cooper remarked that the change of scenery from the Browns (1-5) to the Bills (4-2) a quarter of a season in has revitalized him.

“Yes, it does. It actually does 100% for a number of reasons,” Cooper, 30, said. “It's a feeling of a fresh start, a fresh start, a blank canvas that you can control your destiny, you know?”

The Bills are Cooper's fourth team since being drafted fourth overall by the Raiders in 2015. The five-time Pro Bowler gives the Bills offense a powerful route runner with the ability to stretch the field vertically and separate from defenders for contested downs. the catch

Although Cooper had fewer numbers this season in a Browns offense that struggled — 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns — he added to a wide receiver room that lacked a clear No. 1 and struggled at times to get open.

“Obviously, it's Amari Cooper, so, we're very excited about it,” Josh Allen said when asked if the addition to the offense was an emotional boost. “I know the whole offense, and that receiver room, they're going to welcome him with open arms and be ready to work with him, and try to learn from him, because he's had a lot of success in this league. And obviously has a lot of knowledge, so I I think it will help our guys a lot.”

Cooper said the feeling is mutual.

“As far as the way [Allen] Makes plays, I mean, it's awesome,” he said. “Every time I turn on the television and watch him play, he plays with a lot of determination, a lot of hustle, he plays hard and obviously he's one of the top guys. Quarterbacks have been in the game for a while now. So, just to be able to play with him and experience it in person, I think it's going to be really cool.”

Although Cooper doesn't know many of the Bills facilities, including Allen, on a personal level, he has a relationship with Dallas Cowboys coach Adam Henry in 2020 and 2021.

The Bills host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, a potentially quick turnaround for Cooper, who is still processing the trade. Coach Sean McDermott said he hasn't decided whether Cooper will play.

“I still have to go through the week, get a routine, still learn the playbook and everything. I just got here, you know what I mean?” Cooper said. “So, right now I don't really have any expectations that I can be realistic about until the week is over. Obviously, if I have to answer the question, the expectation is to take full advantage. As for my chances, I don't know if I'm on Sunday. Be blessed, but take full advantage of it.”