Sean McDermott recognizes ‘good sign’ from Amari Cooper’s Week 14 efforts

The Josh Allen-Amari Cooper connection seems to have reached a new level of strength.

In what was Cooper’s fifth appearance since being traded to the Buffalo Bills, the battle-tested wide receiver made six catches for 95 yards and was targeted more often than any Bills’ pass-catcher in a game this season. Allen threw Cooper’s way 14 times in the 44-42 setback to the Los Angeles Rams, though not all of the balls were catchable.

“I think that’s a good sign. There’s a chemistry there that’s been born. Is it complete? Probably not. They’d probably tell you. They’re still working through some things that you saw in the game yesterday. I think that will continue to grow,” head coach Sean McDermott said while virtually speaking to reporters on Monday.

The 30-year-old Cooper; who has seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his credit, has the ability to make the difficult catch look routine. He brings a true WR1 pedigree to the Bills’ receiving corps, which helps open up more options for Allen.

“The great part about it is, Josh, we’ve all seen it, he goes to the receiver that he needs to go to. He goes through his progressions,” McDermott said.

Cooper, who can create separation better than most, has been there for Allen in key spots and seemingly made it easier to stretch the field in the passing game. He has 26+ yard receptions in three of five games. Seventy-five percent of Cooper’s catches as a Bill have resulted in first downs.

After missing two games with a wrist injury, Cooper has multiple receptions in all three games since returning to the lineup.

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Meanwhile, Allen continues to show his growth as a passer.

“Josh has done a phenomenal job all year, really where the read is going to take him, that’s where he throws the ball,” McDermott said.

Allen has connected with 11 different receivers on touchdown passes this season.

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