Browns GM names player he wants to 'retain as long as possible'

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry has built arguably one of the most complete teams in the NFL over the past couple of years, and while no roster stays the same, he named one player that he wants to keep in Cleveland as long as possible.

“[Amari] Cooper’s a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver. He’s played really well for us the past two years,” Berry said via Keith Britton of 92.3 The Fan. “He’s a strong presence in the locker room. We love him. Players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible.”

Cooper has been nothing short of productive since joining the Browns in 2022. Over the past two years, the 29-year-old has posted 150 catches for 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns.

However, Cooper is entering the final year of the five-year deal he signed with the Cowboys in 2020, which puts his future with the team in question.

Cleveland also traded for and extended former Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy this offseason. That doesn’t mean Cooper is on his way out, but the Browns seem to be covering all their bases.

Berry may put his money where his mouth is, however. Cooper is currently carrying a cap hit of almost $24 million into the 2024 season and signing him to a new deal could lower that cap hit.

That would be a win-win scenario for Cleveland as it would gain some more salary cap space for this season while locking up Cooper before he would hit the open market next offseason.

Cooper may be Berry’s best trade to date. The Browns only had to send a fifth-round pick and swap sixth-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft to acquire the five-time Pro Bowler from Dallas.

So, don’t be surprised if Cooper signs a contract extension with Cleveland sooner rather than later. Berry is hoping Cooper and Jeudy will be a dangerous wide receiver duo for many years to come.

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