Deshaun Watson‘s two-year tenure with the Browns has not gone as planned, but Amari Cooper has proven to be an effective addition to the team’s offense over that same span. The latter has one year remaining on his contract, setting himself up for a potential free agent period in 2025. 
However, he may have a new Browns deal in place by that point. Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry recently spoke about Cooper, who is set to carry a cap hit of $23.78MM in 2024 and an additional $7.55MM the following season due to the void years present on his deal.
“Coop’s a Pro Bowl caliber receiver,” Berry said (via Keith Britton of 92.3 The Fan). “He’s played really well for us the past two years. He’s a strong presence in the locker room. We love him. Players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible.”
No reports have indicated player or team are eyeing a round of contract talks in Cooper’s case. Given Berry’s stance, though, it would certainly come as little surprise if negotiations took place aimed at keeping the 29-year-old in the fold for years to come. Cooper has produced a 150-2,410-14 statline between his two Browns campaigns, operating as the team’s clear-cut top receiving option. That is noteworthy considering Cleveland’s efforts to trade for Calvin Ridley before ultimately sending the Cowboys a fifth-round pick (along with a swap of sixth-rounders) to acquire Cooper.
The five-time Pro Bowler will still face major expectations in 2024 considering his pedigree, but Cleveland has made a major addition at the WR spot. The Browns brought in Jerry Jeudy this offseason, acquiring the former Broncos first-rounder for a pair of Day 3 picks. That move was followed in short order by a restructure along with a three-year extension being worked out, the value of which could reach $58MM.
As a result of the investment made in Jeudy (along with Watson and tight end David Njoku, who is on the books for two more seasons), a new Cooper deal would further complicate the Browns’ financial picture on offense. The latter is due $20MM this season, and an extension would no doubt keep him near the top of the receiver market. Plenty of time remains for negotiations to take place, and it will be interesting to see if either party proceeds in that direction during the offseason or as the 2024 campaign unfolds.
Hope they can figure out a way to keep him around. But all this “robbing Peter to pay Paul” contract shenanigans has got to have a breaking point.
I honesty don’t shed many tears when I hear that a multi-millionaire has been robbed.