Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper is unhappy with the current state of his contract. Cooper voiced his displeasure by skipping mandatory minicamp. His unexcused absence subjected him to fines. The Browns must resolve this standoff.
Cooper is slated to enter the final campaign of a previously-signed five-year, $100 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. His base salary for this season is $20 million, but Cooper doesn't possess any guaranteed money remaining on his deal. Given the recent rise in contracts at wide receiver, Cooper is no longer among the top-20 paid receivers in the league. This past season, he finished 10th in receiving yards (1,250) despite placing 21st in targets (128).
#Browns GM Andrew Berry on The Insiders on @nflnetwork when asked by @judybattista about WR Amari Cooper: “We’ll navigate business considerations, business aspects as it goes, but he is a big part of our team and, just as importantly, a big part of our culture.” pic.twitter.com/YodGowaGXy
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 18, 2024
The wide receiver market has exploded this offseason, meaning Cooper’s contract has aged poorly. Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid receiver in NFL history earlier this month after signing a four-year extension worth $140 with the Minnesota Vikings. Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb is expected to sign something similar before training camp opens in July.
A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown also joined the $30 million per year club this summer. Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle came close, inking a three-year, $84.75 million extension with the Miami Dolphins ($28.2 million annually).
The Browns also acquired Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in a trade this offseason. Jeudy, who has never come close to matching Cooper’s production, was swiftly given a three-year, $58 million extension with $41 million guaranteed. That could have ticked Cooper off, who is still waiting for his extension.
Reports indicate the Browns are willing to increase Cooper's salary for 2024. There's an apparent dispute over the length of the deal, as the Browns are reluctant to offer Cooper an extension longer than one year. It's somewhat understandable given that Cooper turned 30 years old earlier this week. Receivers rarely age gracefully into their 30s, so a long-term extension containing several years of guaranteed money could end up being regrettable.
Source: #Browns and Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper struggling to agree on length and security of contract extension.
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) June 17, 2024
🗞️: https://t.co/sOV1PLvb70
Of all the happenings at receiver this offseason, Cooper's representation should be pointing to the Calvin Ridley deal. Ridley, who is merely six months younger than Cooper, signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He had 234 fewer receiving yards than Cooper in 2023.
The Browns should identify a short-term agreement. A two-year, $50 million extension that also increases his 2024 salary would be an amicable solution. That would add two years of guaranteed money to Cooper's contract, providing financial security through 2025. The Browns would also protect themselves from guaranteeing Cooper money into the 2026 campaign, his age-32 season.
The $25 million per season in new money would catapult Cooper back into the top 10 in annual earnings among receivers, at least momentarily until Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk sign their next contracts. Even still, that proposal would place Cooper alongside Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith, who signed a three-year, $75 million extension in April. It would also notably surpass the $24.2 million-per-year extension signed by Nico Collins in Houston. Collins also had a 1,200-yard season in 2023 but hasn’t been as consistent as Cooper.
The Browns should complete Cooper's agreement before training camp. The sticking point is understandably the length of the extension. A two-year amendment qualifies as fair for all parties involved.
