The Cleveland Browns may be forced to make difficult decisions this offseason, including parting ways with standout pass-catcher Amari Cooper.
According to a recent hypothetical trade proposal from Bleacher Report, the New England Patriots are eyeing Cooper. It would provide the Browns with some cap relief, although at a substantial cost.
The Patriots would acquire a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver to begin the Jerod Mayo era in New England. It would also reunite Cooper with former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who does not have the same role with the Patriots.
“Would the Browns release outstanding receiver Amari Cooper? Probably not, if they can prevent it. However, Cleveland is facing a $20.6 million budget shortfall, and moving him would save $12.4 million in cap space, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. “If the 29-year-old can be had, landing him would be a dream for the New England Patriots.”
Browns Can Extend Amari Cooper This offseason
Unfortunately for New England, it’s unlikely that the Browns will consider selling Cooper. He carried the Browns’ offence last season, despite receiving passes from four different quarterbacks. He totaled 1,250 yards on 72 catches.
Cooper’s greatest effort was on Christmas Eve against the Houston Texans. He caught 11 receptions for 265 yards, a team single-game record.
“Records are intended to be broken. At the end of the day, it’s just numbers. “I don’t take it for granted, but it’s the past,” Cooper stated on January 10. “I always tell myself, you know, I want to look back on my career in that nostalgic type of way that I think you’re alluding to after I’m done playing.”
Cooper is a huge amount on the books, but the Browns can reduce the cap hit by negotiating an extension. He will be 30 years old next season, but he still has plenty of energy. Cooper’s anti-diva mentality and ability to stay on the field are important criteria as the Browns consider an extension.
Cooper has surpassed all expectations since joining the Browns in 2022. Cooper was acquired by Cleveland in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for only a fifth-round pick.
Browns look to add playmakers around Amari Cooper.
For as excellent as Cooper was, the Browns require more. Elijah Moore (59 receptions, 640 yards) and tight end David Njoku (81 receptions, 882 yards) were key contributions. But Cleveland received little from the rest of their pass catchers.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry would not go so far as to say it was a “top priority” this summer. However, he acknowledged that the squad could try to recruit a playmaker or two.
“I mean, we’re still in assessment mode. “We feel pretty good about our pass catchers,” Berry told The Athletic on February 1. “I don’t know many teams in the NFL that have two Pro Bowl-caliber pass catchers (Amari Cooper and David Njoku) plus a solid supporting cast. We are continuously looking to add playmakers. However, I believe it would be overly aggressive to label that the top priority.
Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, Gabe Davis, and Calvin Ridley are some of the wide receiver alternatives the Browns could consider.
Leave a Reply