5-time Professional Bowl large receiver Amari Cooper was absent from the Browns’ necessary minicamp for one cause: He needs a brand new deal heading into the ultimate 12 months of his present contract.
Cooper reiterated his need to receives a commission throughout a current interplay caught on digicam.
“I would pull a hammy or one thing attempting to race you,” Cooper mentioned by way of the betting firm Betr. “I am attempting to receives a commission this 12 months.”
The 30-year-old is greater than deserving; he has been nothing in need of productive since becoming a member of Cleveland in 2022. Over the previous two years, he has posted 150 catches for two,410 yards and 14 touchdowns.
In March, basic supervisor Andrew Berry mentioned he wished to maintain Cooper with the Browns for so long as attainable.
“[Amari] Cooper’s a Professional Bowl-caliber receiver. He is performed rather well for us the previous two years,” Berry mentioned by way of Keith Britton of 92.3 The Fan. “He is a powerful presence within the locker room. We love him. Gamers like that, you wish to just be sure you can retain so long as attainable.”
If Cleveland needs to maintain Cooper long-term, why hasn’t the group reached a cope with him?
It may very well be as a result of booming large receiver market. A number of have already acquired huge paydays this offseason, highlighted by the Minnesota Vikings making Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback within the league with a four-year extension value $140 million.
Cooper would not demand that sort of cash, however he is aware of his worth. No participant outdoors of Cooper eclipsed 650 receiving yards for the Browns final season.
Cleveland hopes that modifications this 12 months with large receiver Jerry Jeudy, whom the group traded for in March. Nevertheless, even he has been inconsistent by way of the primary 4 years of his NFL profession.
Solely time will inform if the Browns are keen to provide Cooper the payday he is on the lookout for, however his absence might lengthen deeper into the summer time if the 2 sides cannot discover a compromise quickly.
