While the Browns recently came to a temporary contract resolution with wideout Amari Cooper, the organization isn’t closing the door on a long-term partnership. During an appearance on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Browns GM Andrew Berry revealed that the team would still consider a Cooper extension.
“I think everybody here understands what Amari means to this organization,” Berry said (via 92.3 The Fan on X). “He’s been a big part of our success. We were glad we were able to resolve the situation. Nothing that we’ve done would preclude us from extending him.”
As part of his restructured contract, Cooper received a raise of up to $5M (via incentives), and he also had his $20M salary for 2024 guaranteed (with $10M being paid as a signing bonus). That seemingly placated Cooper’s camp after the wide receiver no-showed mandatory minicamp. Still, the revised contract didn’t do anything to resolve Cooper’s pending free agency, as the wideout is still attached to an expiring contract for the 2024 campaign.
Cooper is heading into the final season of a five-year, $100M pact he signed with the Cowboys back in 2020. Years later, the going rate for top-end WRs has topped a $30M average annual value. Cooper’s de facto one-year, $25M resolution would still only rank eighth at the position in AAV, so we can assume the receiver isn’t looking to break the bank on his next deal.
Cooper would be hard-pressed to secure a $25M AAV on his next contract, but he might not be far off. Heading into his age-30 season, Calvin Ridley managed to garner a four-year, $92M deal. Cooper’s free agency will come ahead of his age-31 season, but he also has a much longer track record of success than Ridley. Cooper seems destined to find a deal worth at least $20M per year, and he could come in around Ridley’s $23M AAV.
The Browns acquired Jerry Jeudy this offseason and gave the WR a three-year, $52.5M deal, so while the Browns may be open to a Cooper extension, it’s uncertain if it’d be financially realistic. Even if Cleveland isn’t willing to pony up for Cooper’s services, the wide receiver surely won’t be lacking for suitors.
