The Raiders are moving full speed toward their Week 1 clash with the New England Patriots, with their 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad already set. As kickoff nears, fans are piously debating potential roster moves, including a possible reunion with a familiar face: Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow, a 2019 fifth-round pick who became a staple in the Raiders’ offense during Derek Carr’s early years, was released in March 2024. He spent last season regaining his health and signed with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, only to be cut this week and land back on the free-agent market. A Renfrow return would be a compelling storyline for Raiders fans, but the current math of the depth chart suggests a tight fit.
The team already reloaded its wide receiver room by bringing back Amari Cooper on a one-year deal. Cooper, 31, is expected to provide reliable short-to-intermediate routes and third-down contributions, echoing his productive mix of catches and yards from last season (44 receptions, 547 yards, four touchdowns across stints with the Browns and Bills). His presence helps stabilize a newly formed unit that also includes veteran Jakobi Meyers and a group of younger players—Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont’e Thornton Jr.—who are still developing.
That combination leaves little obvious room for Renfrow unless injuries or performance issues alter the equation. Meyers has been a point of negotiation tension, having requested a trade to express frustration over stalled extension talks. A modest pay bump this season could buy time for both sides while negotiations continue in private. The Raiders will likely tread carefully, balancing the desire to keep a productive veteran presence with the need to maximize a young and cost-controlled WR corps.
Defensively, the Raiders face a separate but related challenge: a relatively green cornerback room. Coach Pete Carroll’s staff has shown they can cultivate developing players, but the group—featuring a mix of upcoming talents such as Kyu Blu Kelly, Decamerion Richardson, and rookie third-round pick Darien Porter—will be watched closely as the season unfolds.
On special teams and depth, the surprise inclusion of center Will Putnam—an undrafted free agent out of Clemson who spent last year on the Raiders’ practice squad—earned a spot, underscoring the franchise’s emphasis on internal competition and development.
For readers seeking a concise takeaway: the Raiders’ roster appears settled for now, with Amari Cooper in the mix and a young but improving receiving corps in place. Hunter Renfrow’s return would be a compelling story, but as of now, there’s no clear opening created by the Cooper signing or Meyers’ status that would necessitate a Renfrow reunion. Injuries or a late-season shift could always change the calculation, but the Raiders seem intent on proceeding with their current WR plan as they head into Week 1.
Summary: The Raiders have their roster set and a wide receiver room led by Amari Cooper, with Hunter Renfrow’s name floated among fans but no immediate opening to re-add him. The offense will lean on Cooper, Meyers, and a developing group, while the defense continues to grow behind a young cornerback corps. A Renfrow return remains a watchful possibility only if circumstances shift.