Browns’ GM Sounds Off On Amari Cooper’s Contract Status

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper is entering the final year of his deal, but he may end up sticking around with the Browns for quite a while.

General manager Andrew Berry spoke about Cooper’s contract status this week, hinting that Cleveland may try to sign Cooper to a new pact.

“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.”

Cooper is currently carrying a cap hit of $23 million heading into 2024, but the Browns could lower that number if they hand him a new contract.

Cleveland has already set a precedent for extending receivers this offseason.

Upon swinging a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire Jerry Jeudy, the Browns proceeded to give Jeudy a three-year extension worth up to $58 million.

The deal was widely criticized given Jeudy’s overall lack of elite production, but it at least demonstrated that the Browns are very serious about providing quarterback Deshaun Watson with help moving forward.

Cooper is coming off of a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he played 15 games and hauled in 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns en route to his fifth Pro Bowl appearance.

Cleveland initially acquired the 29-year-old in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2022. He caught 78 passes for 1,160 yards and nine scores in his debut campaign with the Browns.

We’ll see if Cleveland is able to strike a fresh deal with Amari Cooper before the season.