Projected Agreement: Browns confirm crucial key man for $52 Million Pay Day
Amari Cooper and the Cleveland Browns have yet to make significant progress on an extension, but it’s crucial for the team to secure their Pro Bowl receiver soon.
Cooper skipped OTAs and the mandatory minicamp in June to signal his desire for an extension. Entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract signed with the Dallas Cowboys, he recently stated on social media, “I want to get paid this year.”
Cooper has strong leverage in these negotiations after one of the best seasons of his career, with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns. The primary sticking point in the extension talks has been the length of the contract rather than the financial terms. Earl Mauldin mentioned on The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show that he envisions Cooper, who recently turned 30, securing an extension worth $52 million over two years.
“That is a good deal for Amari Cooper,” Mauldin said on July 12. “He’s been highly productive.”
Amari Cooper Elevates Browns Wide Receivers
Mauldin mentioned the extension the Browns gave Jerry Jeudy after acquiring him in a trade this offseason, emphasizing the importance of retaining Cooper as a mentor.
“When you make the trade for Jerry Jeudy and sign him to an extension, I assume you do that knowing you have Amari Cooper in the locker room,” Mauldin said. “Amari can greatly assist Jeudy in becoming a better professional, route runner, and overall player. If you’re going to make that move, common sense dictates keeping someone like Amari around.”
The Browns very much need Cooper. Jeudy and Elijah Moore have yet to prove they can lead a passing attack, and young players like Cedric Tillman and David Bell still need time to develop.
“I am concerned,” Mauldin said. “When you look at the Cleveland Browns wide receiver corps, you cannot afford to play hardball with Amari Cooper, especially with so much riding on the 2024 season.”
Deshaun Watson Needs Amari Cooper
Mauldin’s co-host, Adam “The Bull” Gerstenhaber, also emphasized Cooper’s importance to the Browns, particularly for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“Amari Cooper, to me, is the most important player on this offense, not named Deshaun Watson. He’s a star and a Pro Bowl player. He’s by far their best player on offense,” The Bull said. “Nick Chubb was, but he’s coming off an injury. And you win by throwing the football. If Amari Cooper is not healthy and playing the full season, it will be hard for Deshaun Watson to put up big numbers.
“The Browns have taken care of everyone, including Jerry Jeudy. You can’t take care of Jerry Jeudy, who has proven nothing, and then leave a guy who has done it all hanging. Take care of Amari Cooper.”
Watson is returning from season-ending shoulder surgery. His first two years in Cleveland have largely been a disappointment. The Browns gave up a trio of first-round picks to acquire him in a 2022 trade and also handed him a $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
So far, Watson has played in 12 games with mixed results, passing for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.