Browns WR Amari Cooper says ‘I’m trying to get paid this year’

Browns WR Amari Cooper says ‘I’m trying to get paid this year’

The mostly boring offseason for the Cleveland Browns all of a sudden became anything but when WR Amari Cooper skipped mandatory minicamp. Subject to fines, Cooper sat out looking for a new contract as he enters the final year of his five year, $100 million deal that he signed when he was with the Dallas Cowboys.

Since then, we had a report/rumor that Cooper and the Browns were apart on an extension as the wide receiver wanted a longer deal than the team was offering.

We know Cooper is lethal in a variety of ways but sits $15 million a year behind Justin Jefferson for the top contract at the position. In an interaction on TikTok, Cooper made it clear what his goal is:

Currently, four receivers make $30 million or more a year with four others making $25 or more per season.

Cooper’s age, 30, could play a role in negotiations. Tyreek Hill and Calvin Ridley have recently signed large extensions at the age of 29 but a majority of the big deals at the position have been for players a few years younger than that.

Cleveland currently has over $13 million in salary cap space and can open up significantly more space by restructuring QB Deshaun Watson’s deal. According to Over the Cap, the Browns are projected to be over next year’s cap by more than $40 million.

That is based on a projected $5 million increase which is significantly less than the last three seasons ($30 million, $16.6 million and $25.7 million).

If Cooper’s lone goal is a big contract, he and Cleveland could be at a stalemate heading into training camp in late July. Thankfully, both sides have about a month to get a deal completed.

How do you think Cooper and the Browns resolved his contract demands?