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The Cleveland Browns are not planning to cut Amari Cooper for cap purposes, according to a prominent insider. The team has “zero” intention of letting Cooper go and is instead considering reworking his deal this offseason to ensure he stays with the Browns.
There has been speculation about Cooper’s future with the team, as Cleveland is looking for ways to save money and Cooper’s cap hit for next season is $23.7 million. However, Cooper has proven to be worth the investment since joining the team in a trade in 2022. He has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and recently earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com reached out to his sources and confirmed that Cooper will not be leaving the team anytime soon. “I keep hearing from some fans and media members that the Browns may cut Amari Cooper because of salary cap problems,” Pluto wrote on Sunday, February 4. “I checked with a top NFL source, and the Browns have no intention of letting Amari Cooper leave — I mean, ZERO.”
This report from Pluto should put an end to any concerns about Cooper’s future with the team. However, the Browns do need to start thinking about the future in regards to Cooper, as he only has one year left on his current deal. Extending his contract could not only secure the Browns’ top receiver for additional years but also lower his cap hit for next season.
“We have seen a few divas as Browns receivers over the years. Cooper is like Nick Chubb, revered by coaches and teammates,” Pluto wrote. “I was told the Browns may not even have to rework his contract for salary cap purposes. If needed, they will.”
Despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks last season, Cooper was the driving force behind the Browns’ offense. He accumulated 1,250 yards on 72 catches. One of his standout performances came on Christmas Eve against the Houston Texans, where he set a franchise single-game record with 11 catches for 265 yards.
“Records are meant 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 said 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.”
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The Browns are on the hunt for more firepower to support Deshaun Watson in the upcoming season. Their top priority this offseason is to provide Cooper with some much-needed assistance. While Elijah Moore (59 catches, 640 yards) and tight end David Njoku (81 catches, 882 yards) made valuable contributions, the Browns are eager to find a formidable second option to complement Cooper.
According to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Andrew, the team’s general manager, is determined to add talented players to the roster. Stefanski expressed his satisfaction with the current group of players, highlighting the impressive performances of Amari Cooper, Dave Njoku, and Elijah Moore, who all had career-best seasons. The Browns’ success has made Stefanski proud.
As the Browns explore their options, some potential wide receiver targets include Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, and Calvin Ridley. However, the ultimate decision will depend on the Browns’ available salary cap space.
J.R. DeGroote, a sports reporter covering the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Lakers, provides in-depth coverage on these teams.
