Nick Saban doesn’t speak up often. But when he does, you know it’s worth listening to. The Alabama coach dropped his few cents on one of his most celebrated protégés—Amari Cooper. And he had plenty to say.

On The Pat McAfee Show, coach Saban broke his silence on Cooper’s trade to the Buffs. He called the WR a “great player” and predicted he’ll make a huge impact in Buffalo. “Good offensive team, good quarterback, and all that,” Saban said, hinting at the excellent potential of the 30-year-old catching passes from Josh Allen. But what really stood out was the coach’s candid comments on Cooper’s personality.

Saban revealed that Cooper’s quiet demeanor often leads people to misjudge him. “Amari Cooper is sometimes misunderstood because he’s such a quiet guy,” he explained. Reminiscing about the five-time Pro Bowl WR’s time in Alabama, Saban admitted, “He went three or four years here, and I don’t know if we ever had a conversation.” That silence, though, didn’t mean a lack of commitment. The coach praised his dedication: “He never had troubles, he always did what he was supposed to do, he’s a great person, practiced hard, but never said a word. And as a coach, sometimes you’re like, ‘I guess this guy isn’t with it or with us.’ But he is. He’s a great competitor, made huge plays that had a lot of impact. So, I think he’s got the capability.”

Now, let’s break down the Crimson Tide’s product’s journey. He was traded from the Browns to the Bills in exchange for a third-round draft pick. Cooper had back-to-back standout seasons in Cleveland, but with the team’s offense struggling (and a likely rebuild looming), they made a strategic move to gain some draft capital. For Cooper, this trade’s a golden opportunity. He’s moving from a 1-5 Browns team (with a shaky QB) situation to the 4-2 Buffs—solid Super Bowl contenders. Tide fans remember Cooper as one of the best WRs in Alabama history, setting program records for receiving yards and TDs before DeVonta Smith broke them.

Deshaun Watson, though, has his own challenges ahead without Cooper as his go-to guy in Cleveland’s offense.

Deshaun Watson gets real about Amari Cooper’s trade 

Deshaun Watson didn’t mince words. Amari Cooper to the Buffs? That one hit different.

Watson’s reaction was pure emotion. “The biggest thing, Coop is my brother,” he said at Thursday’s presser. The WR’s journey began in 2022 when the team got him in to rev up their receiving corps. “These last three years, we got to know each other, not just on the field but off-field. He helped me through some tough times.” Yeah, this wasn’t just a QB-WR connection—it was deeper. Family vibes.

The QB wasn’t just talking for himself. “It’s tough to see a brother and a teammate that means a lot, not just for me—but for the locker room—get traded away,” he said. But as much as it stings, Watson’s trusting the higher-ups, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski. “You got to trust the organization.”

Losing Cooper hurts, but Watson’s ready to rally.