Given Cooper’s Pro-Bowl campaign in 2023, the decision isn’t very difficult. The wideout will count about $24 million against the salary cap next season, the final year of his $100 million contract. If Cooper hadn’t performed so well over the last six months, he would almost probably be gone, since the organization can save $20 million by releasing or moving him after June 1.
But because he was so good and so consistent in his contributions to the Browns’ offence, he’s almost certain to return in 2024 on a contract extension that will allow the team to offset his budget hit through incentive structures.
Cory Kinnan of USA Today’s Browns Wire stated on Wednesday, February 7, that the Browns might lessen his cap hit by extending him. “Cooper will be 30 next season, however, so the length of extension will be an interesting game to play.”
Given the previous contracts inked by Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs with the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills, Kinnan believed Cooper may be in line for a two-year deal worth $23-$24 million per year. Cooper and his team will most likely try for a three- or four-year contract.
“If [the Browns] wanted to extend him for another two years … they can drop his base salary in 2024 to the vet minimum, paying him only his bonuses that do not count against the cap,” he said. “This move is very much in play this offseason.”
The Browns do not intend to part ways with Amari Cooper in 2024.
Kinnan’s forecast that Cooper will sign a contract extension comes after Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com reported on February 4 that a “top source” inside the league explicitly denied that the team intended to cut or trade the wideout.
“I keep hearing from some fans and media members that the Browns may cut Amari Cooper because of salary cap problems,” Pluto stated in an email. “I checked with a top NFL source, and the Browns have no intention of letting Amari Cooper leave — I mean, ZERO.”
Cooper made it difficult for Cleveland to rationalize parting ways after racking up 1,250 yards and 5 touchdowns on 72 receptions in 15 games last season, according to Pro Football Reference. He was by far the Browns’ best receiver in 2023, despite several injuries and five different starting quarterbacks over 17 games.
The Browns are expected to look for wide receiver additions this offseason.
Just bringing Cooper back to play with Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku is unlikely to be enough for a Cleveland club looking to compete in 2024 with a presumably healthy Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
Elijah Moore was the team’s second-most successful receiver last season, with 59 receptions for 640 yards and two touchdowns. David Bell and Cedric Tillman, two previous third-round picks still on rookie contracts, combined for 391 yards and 35 receptions, finishing behind running back Jerome Ford in all major categories, according to ESPN.
Cleveland has more work to do to address its salary cap issues than some of its NFL rivals, but Browns fans can expect movement in the wide receiver room this summer, whether through cuts, trades, free-agent acquisitions, or the draft.
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