The receiver market is heating up. Hours after the Jets finalized their deal to acquire Davante Adams, the team that won Monday night’s game will also strike for a pass-catching weapon.
Amari Cooper is headed to Buffalo, with Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reporting the Bills and Browns have a deal in place. A recent report indicated Cleveland was not expected to unload Cooper, but after the Browns did not reach an extension with the accomplished wideout this offseason, he remains in a contract year. It appears that campaign with finish in New York. The teams have since announced the trade.
This deal includes the Browns receiving a third-round pick, though NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport classifies it as a pick-swap agreement. That will send a lower pick back to the Bills. Here is how the trade breaks down, via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero:
Bills receive:
- Cooper
- A 2025 sixth-round pick
Browns receive:
- A 2025 third-round pick
- 2026 seventh-rounder
This is the second time Cooper has been traded in-season, with the 2018 campaign including the Raiders sending him to the Cowboys for a first-round pick. After re-signing the former top-five pick in 2020, the Cowboys dealt him to the Browns during the 2022 offseason. Cooper, 30, has produced in Cleveland, but with Deshaun Watson well off his Texans pace, he has not fared especially well this season. Given the QB upgrade he is set to see, Cooper is likely to see a production uptick soon.
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Sean McDermott said last week Buffalo’s receiver situation had become a concern. The Bills’ plan of moving on from Stefon Diggs and not replacing him with a comparable wideout was passable early, but teams had limited the team’s receivers in recent weeks — a period that bottomed out with a woeful Josh Allen stat line in Houston. Even after the Bills prevailed over the Jets on Monday, they are loading up with one of the best wideouts on the market.
“Andrew Berry called me and told me what was going on,” Cooper said (via veteran insider Josina Anderson) of the trade. “As far as playing with Josh, I’ve always been fan of his game. I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him, I’m sure it’s going to be great.”
This Cooper swap comes after the Bills had monitored the Adams market. In on Adams from the beginning, Buffalo never appeared in pole position — or even in the front row — for the Raiders trade chip. It does not appear to be a coincidence that the Jets’ Adams trade went down shortly before this one. The Bills snaring Cooper gives them a weapon in an effort to hold off the Jets in the AFC East while taking away a potential Chiefs solution in the wake of Rashee Rice‘s season-ending injury.
Although Cooper is in his age-30 season and is averaging only 10.4 yards per catch this year (24/250), the Bills needed to include a third-round pick likely due to both his past production and the Browns having slashed his 2024 base salary to the veteran minimum. Cooper’s offseason restructure included an incentive package and his 2024 base dropping to $1.21MM.
That works out to just $783K to be transferred to the Bills’ payroll. The Browns, conversely, will take on $7.9MM in dead money this year and $22.6MM in dead cap in 2025. The total sum nearly matches Diggs’ receiver-record figure the Bills ate earlier this year.
Cooper’s route-running chops are on Diggs’ level, making it interesting Buffalo targeted the former No. 5 overall pick. Cooper has seven 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, with the most recent — 2023’s 1,250-yard showing with an aid from Joe Flacco — doubling as a career-high number. Cooper has never quite settled in as a top-tier receiver, but his credentials easily place him on the second rung. The refined pass catcher is a five-time Pro Bowler who has surpassed 1,100 yards in a season five times. Cooper totaled nine touchdowns in his first Browns season, doing so despite the team using Jacoby Brissett for 11 games and Watson (who re-emerged in concerning form) for the final six.
Turning 30 earlier this year, Cooper is several months younger than Diggs. The Bills had tired of Diggs’ antics, but they were beginning to miss his production. Drafted four rounds before Diggs in 2015, Cooper has not proven to be a locker room issue, as he has seamlessly transitioned to new teams via trade before.
The Alabama alum’s 2018 Dallas assimilation made a key difference in turning a sub.-500 Cowboys team into the NFC East champions. Cooper will now try to replace Diggs and help the Bills book a fifth straight division title. Set to anchor a receiving corps previously fronted by Khalil Shakir and second-round pick Keon Coleman, Cooper strengthens the Bills’ hopes of threatening the Chiefs’ AFC vice grip as well.
No stranger to splashy WR trades as the 2020 Diggs swap and the near-deal for Antonio Brown in 2019 shows, Bills GM Brandon Beane will attempt to equip his superstar quarterback with a weapon that will help him better maximize his age-28 season. Diggs moved the needle significantly in Allen’s development. With Allen much closer to a finished product now, the Bills are adding a similar playmaker. Buffalo received a 2025 second-round pick from Houston for Diggs, helping make parting with a Day 2 asset easier.
This deal comes barely two months after the Browns offered Cooper to the 49ers in a swap that would have sent Brandon Aiyuk to Cleveland. Aiyuk did not want to be traded to the Browns, who have struggled in the passing game for most of the decade despite obtaining Watson in 2022. Cooper, however, wanted to be traded to the 49ers, TheLandOnDemand.com’s Tony Grossi offers. That San Francisco proposal, which included second- and fifth-round picks as well, always made Cooper a trade chip to watch. With the Browns now 1-5 and Watson in terrible form, cashing out now with a Day 2 asset — which is more than the Browns initially gave up to acquire him from the Cowboys — can be viewed as a savvy move.
Cleveland sent just fifth- and sixth-round picks to Dallas to acquire Cooper in March 2022. The Cowboys have missed the midrange weapon’s presence, even as CeeDee Lamb has ascended to the All-Pro level. The Browns traded for Jerry Jeudy this offseason and gave the ex-Broncos first-rounder a three-year extension that brought more in guarantees ($41MM) than Cooper’s Cowboys-constructed pact (five years, $100MM, $40MM guaranteed at signing) did. The Browns also have Elijah Moore on their roster, but the ex-Jets second-rounder joins Cooper in being in a contract year.
Jeudy suddenly represents the Browns’ receiver centerpiece, as he is tied to the team through the 2027 season. Jeudy, however, is 0-for-4 in 1,000-yard seasons; Cooper is 7-for-9. A Bills team gunning for its first Super Bowl berth since 1993 will soon deploy Cooper as part of its championship effort, while the Browns — thanks to their historic Watson guarantee tying them to the embattled QB through 2026 — will pick up an asset as they reassess their passing game.
Lets go!
Im curious about details though.
But Im relieved they did something.
Call on Doubs and Slayton too!
That’s a rich price. In season trade prices…yuck.
But – I was panicking. I think they put themselves in this position, and I would rather they admit that they were wrong with “everybody eats” than keep commitment to escalation. and struggle all season.
It’s just a rental, but I think I would rather have this trade than the Adams trade.
Don’t be so sure it’s just a rental. He won’t get a huge FA offer in the offseason. Wrong side of 30, not as accomplished as Diggs or Adams. 2 years 30-35 mill, tops. Diggs comes off the blooks next year, though they still have cap constraints, they can probably swing that.
Highly doubt Cooper has to settle for less than 20 million per.
Packers aren’t shopping any WR
Call anyway!
Fool. What an asinine idea.
The Bills don’t bring in losers and malcontents. Too bad we can’t apply that preference to Bills fans. Some real dummies in the mafia.
They brought in Diggs, at one point, and tried to land Antonio Brown at another, and then there’s Von Miller…
They also brought in Richie Incognito.
And they weren’t even incognito about bringing in Incognito…
WAY before Beane and McDermott.
Von is a great team player. They didn’t sign AB
Can’t argue about Diggs.
Makes perfect sense. No major cap hit for the Bills and an opportunity for Adams to make the playoffs, as long as the draft compensation isn’t above a third (perhaps a second if he re-signs with the Bills)
I posted before the third-rounder update. All good.
It’s a great answer to the Adams trade. Cooper doesn’t have great stats this year, but what else do you expect from a player who expects to be gone and who is teamed with one of the worst starters in the league this year?
I love the trade, personally. I don’t see this strictly as a one year rental-depending on well he acclimates to the offense, Cooper could get another deal from the Bills. There’s too much football left to say for certain, but it’s certainly possible.
One thing is for certain-no matter how he plays, Cooper will definitely draw attention from other receivers (namely Shakir and Coleman) enough to benefit them against good secondaries. That could be the best part of this trade, even considering what individual production Cooper may bring on his own.
The Bills did not need to answer anything the Jets do. They are not a threat. Haven’t been for years. BUT…. It keeps cooper away from the Chiefs which would have been a huge blow.
It wasn’t done purely for that reason. But, given that WR was a major area of need for Buffalo and that they just squeaked by their division rivals who also made a major improvement, it’d be negligent on Beane’s part to just go “yeah, the Jets always stink, so I’m not going to do anything at all.” Whether or not the Jets normally disappoint has no bearing on whether or not the Bills’ GM should do his own job…which Beane did.
That’s the main reason that the Bills have been so good-their staff addresses concerns as best they can and aren’t comfortable leaving things to chance (as opposed to, say, the Packers with Favre and Rodgers). You could just say to Allen “be better”, or you could not leave it to chance to give the team even better odds, while countering any advantage that a rival could possibly gain. I think that this deal, or a similar one, was coming regardless of what New York did, but it’s a counter and a good one. It’s staying one step ahead, which is what good teams do.
Bills make a counter to the Jets
But did they really need to counter the Jets? I mean, it’s the Jets.
The Jets are going to do Jets things.
Great pickup for the Bills. Shakir is very good and Coleman looks like he will be down the line, but he isn’t yet and Curtis Samuel is always a better idea than reality. Cooper gives them a legit target at a reasonable price. AND this means KC doesn’t get him.
Amari would probably have to be charged with dangerous driving or some other offense before the Chiefs would pursue him.
Steelers lose on another
Browns aren’t going to trade anyone to the Steelers.
Browns are dead and going no where. They would’ve taken the best compensation and I’m certain of that.
It’s not like the Bills aren’t direct AFC competition as well. If they thought that highly of Cooper, or thought he made that much of a difference he would’ve been jettisoned to the NFC.
I bet they would trade Deshaun Watson to them if they could
I thought my original comment was gonna show up under the one that said Browns aren’t trading anyone to the Steelers, that’s why I said I bet they would trade Deshaun Watson to them if they could. Cleveland would be better off with Russell Wilson than Watson, but Watson’s contract makes him impossible to move.
Your comment is better !! Lmfao. Buddy first off teams don’t trade to other teams in their division. That’s true in baseball, hockey basketball. I hope you were being sarcastic? Because if you’re not, then…sober up
I read someone proposing an Adams trade to the Chiefs in one of those speculation articles…so it’s not the worst that I’ve read this week.
Just last year the Chiefs and Raiders made a minor deal. Nick Farrell fetched Vegas a 6th round pick. It was minor, but there’s precedent they’ll trade. The Raiders stink and know they’re not competing- they would’ve sent him anywhere to lose the contract. Even KC.
That situation has just turned out so bad, I bet if trading him was an option, a division rival would not be out of the picture because it would make them weaker.
It literally happens all the time. Not only is my comment better, buddy, it’s correct.
Baltimore sent Wormley to Pittsburgh
Donovan McNabb Eagles to Redskins (I guess they’re not division foes)
The Patriots got Wes Welker from the Dolphins for picks (hmmm?)
Just 2 years ago Miami traded Davante Parker to New England (interesting…)
In 2016 the Browns traded ex first rounder Justin Gilbert to the Steelers (odd isn’t that the EXACT thing you said ‘never happens’?)
FiRSt oFF tEAms dOn’t tRAdE oTHeR TEamS iN DIvIsioN.
Lol. Sober up.
Except on draft day.
Recently the lions and Vikings (T.J Hockenson and a few draft day swaps) Vikings and Packers made draft deals as well
Maybe Mike Williams would interest Mahomes and the Chiefs after seeing him as a division rival for years. It probably wouldn’t cost them much more than Mecole Hardman did last year.
Gee, you think that Cooper is feeling good right about now? He just went from arguably the worst starting QB in the league to one of the best.
He’s happy for sure
Go Bills!!! Much better trade than the Adams trade, which reeked of desperation. Cheaper, younger, just about as good. Grrrrrreattttt trade!
I’ve seen Davonte Adams simply run away with games. Amari Cooper doesn’t rarely has that kind of impact. But he’s certainly very capable when his head is in the game.
Cooper is costing 800k for the rest of the season. The Bills simply couldn’t afford Adams. He is great, of course. But he wasn’t a realistic option.
Note: If you find that I don’t respond to you consistently – its because I dont think you have value to add to a conversation or Ive decided that interaction with you sucks.
I’ve probably muted you. I don’t value your input.
Its ok. You can mute me too. I promise I wont know.
A few here are great. Most are fine.
Some though are just not worth interacting with.
Thank you for understanding.
Go Bills!
Crybaby.
Lmao. Doooosh nozzle says what?
Who are you calling a shower head?
Told ya they would trade him. Too bad they can’t trade Watson.
Oh man nice pickup by Buffalo. Josh has a dependable weapon now no joke
This is a great deal for the Bills. Amari Cooper is a quality receiver and has some class especially when he could have blasted the Browns and Deshaun Watson. The Browns continue to be the standard for a terrible run franchise and Watson is in a word…Terrible.
Cooper is going to have a huge resurgence in Buffalo and Josh Allen has a quality wide receiver that isn’t a Diva.
Now they need to get rid of that Hollins guy because he is just not good and all I ever see from him is not making the catch then begging for a flag.
All I ever see from him is not making the catch then begging for a flag.
– 3 finger
Dont forget blocking a special teams! Lol
Im so tired of hearing that. You are a WR. Job 1 is getting open.
He isn’t even as good as Gabe Davis, and we ran him outta town.
I’m on the West Coast and I’m actually a Bills fan from the old AFL days and I hope that Cooper and Allen get it going ASAP and when your game highlights as a WR is you can block on special teams well that doesn’t build confidence in your QB throwing you the ball…Cooper is exactly what the Bills need without all the BS Diva antics
His contract is a small fraction of Davis’s, though. He’s only supposed to be a role player.
Maybe you don’t doubt his heart, just the reach of his arm? I think Eomer said it best.
If he was supposed to be a role player, he wouldn’t be starting and getting targets consistently.
He’s averaging 3 targets a game. He had two last night and one was a touchdown. He’s making under $2.5 million this year. It’s not his fault that Coleman needs a little more seasoning and Samuel and MVS aren’t all that useful. Hollins will now be pushed into more of the role he should have.
No, sorry. This was the plan. This was by design. It’s intentional. He is a starter. Has been since training camp.
He is getting consistent targets in high leverage situations.
OK. He still only has 19 targets, which is 3 per game and fewer than Shakir, Coleman, and Kincaid. I doubt he was supposed to see more action than Samuel when they were handing out contracts. It’s not Hollins’ fault that their receiver room hasn’t been strong enough to squeeze him off the field.
Among receivers only Keon Coleman has more snaps.
OK. And he’s still getting targeted less than Shakir, because he’s not a major target. I get that it’s frustrating to see your contender team throw to Hollins, but he’s a perfectly serviceable role player who contributes on special teams, which is what he’s being paid like, and now that there are definitely three receivers who are better threats (plus the tight ends and backs, of course), you should see a little less. But three targets a game also isn’t much.
The bigger problem is the one I never understood, which is giving Curtis Samuel $14 million guaranteed in an offseason when they decided to eat their cap vegetables. To give him that much money to pair with a coach who knows him and still do so, so little with him is ugly. But as ugly free agent deals go, we’re not talking big game.
Does that help your point? So he isn’t getting open. On the field for…..blocking? Oh okay.
You seem oddly interested in this. I can’t figure out why.
You keep referring to salary, seems to undercut your argument.
Samuel isn’t supposed to be an outside guy.
Hollins was initially expected to be a 4 or 5. All through training camp he ran with 1s.
You are free to believe what you wish.
Id be happy to trade him to your team.
You seem weirdly mad at Mack Hollins for being Mack Hollins. Yeah, he’s in on early downs for blocking ability. He plays about a third of his snaps out of the slot. Salary obviously matters to how teams see players. The main point is that Hollins has been more than a 4 or 5 because they haven’t had better receivers. Now they do.
I don’t think you understand my argument at all.
Also he has not been in the slot.
According to PFF’s charting, he’s lined up in the slot 32.2% of the time. He’s also lined up a career high 5.4% of the time inline, which means they effectively use him like a tight end part of the time.
He always says people dont “understand my argument.” Every thread… maybe the problem is the arguments.
Curtis Samuel made a lot of money on the Redskins roster for very little production. $34 million for total ~1500 yards over three years. Journeyman, fifth-round draft pick numbers. The Bills were foolish to give Samuel another rich contract.
I challenge that.
He also has the second most routes run on the team going into week 6.
Stop this nonsense. You are trying to hard.
We get it.
Ooof loves Mack Hollins.
Im not even sure why he keeps this up..
There was obviously some behind the scenes turmoil in Cleveland that we never heard about, as Cleveland would have been better off by keeping Cooper – and it seems a little early to be throwing in the towel…
Oh I think the turmoil is right there in plain sight. Their quarterback is horrible and the coach clearly doesn’t have the authority to bench him because of the ludicrous contract ownership gave him. Stefanski talking about Watson sounds like a hostage. On top of that and Chubb’s injury, their offensive line has gone way backwards between injuries and Callahan’s departure.
Out of the doghouse n into the penthouse. He escaped the Cleveland Browns. Bravo.
Seems like a steal for the Bills