Really nothing is the same for Amari Cooper.
The Oakland Raiders team that drafted him fourth overall in 2015 moved to the desert. The Black Hole fans that Cooper loved playing in front of, they now flood Allegiant Stadium off the Las Vegas Strip.
Cooper has played there once with the Cleveland Browns in 2024. Ironically, he caught an 82-yard touchdown in that game that was called back on an offensive holding penalty – resulting in the Raiders ultimately pulling out a 20-16 victory.
His last remaining Oakland Raiders teammate left on the roster is Kolton Miller, drafted months prior to Cooper being traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
But even in a team headquarters and practice facility he's never been inside, seeing the Raiders shield brings all those memories back.
"It was a good feeling because it was a dream come true," Cooper said, reminiscing on being drafted by the Raiders. "Getting drafted in the first round, being a top five pick, being able to come to an NFL team and help them win. It was a great feeling."
In the short time Cooper played for the Raiders, he left a lasting impact that still resonates with Raider Nation. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons and totaled 19 touchdown grabs in Oakland. He also led the team in receiving yards his first two seasons, with 1,153 yards in 2016 when the team went 12-4 en route to a playoff berth.
His decision to come back and play for the Raiders wasn't complex.
"It was an opportunity to finish what I started. I think that was probably the main thing," he said.
With the new roster, coaching staff and stadium Cooper will step into, he's embracing a lot of the changes made. He considers Allegiant Stadium as "one of the better stadiums in the league" with a optimistic view on playing under Pete Carroll, who initially reached out to him.
"I can tell he's a player's coach, an old-school coach," Cooper said of Carroll. "Obviously has a career history of winning. ... I've always been a fan of Geno's [Smith] game. I used to watch him a lot when he was in college. Maxx [Crosby], everybody talks about how amazing of a player he is."
While the Raiders definitely aren't the same from 2018, neither is Cooper. He's played a lot of football since last wearing the Silver and Black. He's posted seven seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards since entering the league, tied for the second most in the NFL over that span.
With 154 NFL games now logged, there's one thing he'll be diligent about doing his second time around with the Raiders.
"Enjoy the journey," he said. "Obviously we're in a very privileged position. It doesn't last forever. So I [won't] take it all for granted."
View director of photography Michael Clemens' top picks of black and white photos from the Raiders' Preseason Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) arrives to the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) arrives to the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) arrives to the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) arrives to the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
A fan before the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks walk down the tunnel before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) runs down the tunnel before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) warming up before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
A fan before the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams unit huddles before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders wait to be introduced onto the field before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) on the sidelines before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the sidelines before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the sidelines before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the sidelines before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the national anthem before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during the national anthem before the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the sidelines during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the bench during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the sidelines during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the sidelines during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the sidelines during the preseason away game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
