Pete Carroll Reveals Shocking Reason Amari Cooper Stepped Back — What He Wasn’t Ready For Will Surprise You

So, here’s the kicker—Amari Cooper’s much-anticipated comeback with the Raiders fizzled out faster than a firecracker on a damp Fourth of July night. There’s zero public bitterness from the team, which is honestly refreshing in this business these days. Pete Carroll laid it out pretty plainly during Friday’s press session: the timing just wasn’t in Cooper’s favor. He wasn’t quite ready to hit the ground running, even though both sides gave it an honest go. You can almost sense the mutual respect lingering in the air. Cooper’s return was supposed to be a chapter of unfinished business, but instead, he threw in the towel and retired last Thursday. Now the Raiders are gearing up to take on the Patriots on the road, eyes forward, no looking back. LEARN MORE

If there are any hard feelings from the Raiders toward Amari Cooper, they’re not showing them publicly.

Head coach Pete Carroll noted in his Friday press conference that Cooper’s return to the franchise just didn’t work out.

“The timing wasn’t right for him,” Carroll said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “He didn’t feel like he was ready to do it. He gave a shot and we gave him a shot. Much respect for him making that decision.”

Cooper signed with Las Vegas early last week, saying he had “unfinished business” with the franchise that drafted him. But he elected to retire on Thursday.

The Raiders will be on the road to play the Patriots in their season opener.