ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals free agent WR Pharoh Cooper signs with Panthers

Mar 20, 2020, 1:08 PM | Updated: 1:12 pm

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) celebrates a first down after a catch against th...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) celebrates a first down after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Free agent receiver Pharoh Cooper, who spent most of 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals, signed a deal on Friday to join the Carolina Panthers.

Cooper, 25, joined Arizona last offseason and made it through training camp before being cut heading into Week 1. The Cincinnati Bengals picked him up off waivers and played him in Week 1, but he was waived shortly after being an inactive for a Week 2 game.

With injuries mounting, the Cardinals re-signed Cooper heading into Week 5 and he immediately provided help. Cooper made two catches against the Bengals in Arizona’s first win of the season and went on to contribute 25 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown.

Cooper was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2016 and played there through 2018.

Arizona’s acquisition of No. 1 receiver DeAndre Hopkins likely proved as the writing on the wall for Cooper and fellow receiver Damiere Byrd to depart in free agency. Byrd agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots.

With Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk projecting as the top three receivers on the roster, Arizona also has depth in the form of three 2019 draft picks: Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler and KeeSean Johnson.

Trent Sherfield also returns for his third season with Arizona, and it’s possible the Cardinals add more talent in the draft. The 2020 class includes one of the deepest groups of receivers to come out in some time.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals free agent WR Pharoh Cooper signs with Panthers