The Cleveland Browns opened a mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but one of their key players was absent. Wide receiver Amari Cooper was not in attendance, and head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the absence was not an excused one.
As a result, Amari Cooper is subject to fines from the organization. When asked if the absence of his No. 1 receiver was contract-related, Stefanski would not confirm. But, he did say that “there’s been dialogue” between the team and Cooper’s representatives.
A former first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2015, Amari Cooper is entering the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed originally with the Dallas Cowboys. He has a base salary of $20 million but none of his contract is guaranteed in 2024.
Set to turn 30 years old next week, he is likely seeking some more guaranteed money on what could be his last chance to sign a lucrative multi-year deal. Amari Cooper has shown no signs of slowing down, but with the influx of high-end wide receiver talent from the collegiate game, teams may not be as willing to commit big money to players on the wrong side of 30.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Amari Cooper is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the Cleveland Browns in 2023. Despite missing two games, he set a career-high with 1,250 receiving yards and 17.3 yards per reception.
He caught 72 passes and scored five touchdowns, very impressive numbers when taking into consideration how shaky the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation was last season. Five different players started a game, including Joe Flacco, the team’s starter in the postseason after coming off his couch in November.
“He’s the best in the league,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said of Cooper. “I believe it. He shows it each and every year. He’s showed it the last two years with different quarterbacks, so I think you’ve got to put him up there with the best.”
It will be interesting to see what kind of deal that Amari Cooper can receive from the Cleveland Browns. Jerry Jeudy, who was acquired from the Denver Broncos earlier this season, agreed to a three-year, $58 million extension. He isn’t anywhere nearly as established as his fellow Alabama product but is five years younger.
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