5-time Professional Bowl vast receiver Amari Cooper was absent from the Browns’ necessary minicamp for one purpose: He needs a brand new deal heading into the ultimate 12 months of his present contract.
Cooper reiterated his want to receives a commission throughout a current interplay caught on digicam.
“I would pull a hammy or one thing making an attempt to race you,” Cooper mentioned by way of the betting firm Betr. “I am making an attempt to receives a commission this 12 months.”
The 30-year-old is greater than deserving; he has been nothing wanting 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, common supervisor Andrew Berry mentioned he wished to maintain Cooper with the Browns for so long as potential.
“[Amari] Cooper’s a Professional Bowl-caliber receiver. He is performed very well for us the previous two years,” Berry mentioned by way of Keith Britton of 92.3 The Fan. “He is a robust presence within the locker room. We love him. Gamers like that, you need to just remember to can retain so long as potential.”
If Cleveland needs to maintain Cooper long-term, why hasn’t the workforce reached a cope with him?
It could possibly be because of the booming vast receiver market. A number of have already obtained large paydays this offseason, highlighted by the Minnesota Vikings making Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback within the league with a four-year extension price $140 million.
Cooper would not demand that kind 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 vast receiver Jerry Jeudy, whom the workforce 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 prepared to provide Cooper the payday he is on the lookout for, however his absence might prolong deeper into the summer season if the 2 sides cannot discover a compromise quickly.
