Much was said about Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper and his contract this past offseason. The five-time Pro Bowler is currently playing under a five-year, $100 million contract.
Considering Cooper’s performance with Cleveland and the recent surge in the wide receiver market, this deal seemed insufficient for the Browns’ top pass-catcher.
This led to speculation that Cooper might hold out from training camp to negotiate a new contract. However, with Cleveland opening camp on Tuesday, that will not be the case.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Cooper has agreed to a contract restructure. The deal guarantees him his $20 million salary while giving him the chance to earn an additional $5 million in incentives. He also received half of the $20 million in guarantees upfront. Heading into training camp, the Browns were keen to avoid any drama involving their top receiver, especially with embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson aiming to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023 season. Since being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys before the 2022 season, Cooper has performed exceptionally well for the Browns.
Amari Cooper stats (2022-23): 150 receptions, 2,410 yards, 14 TDs
These numbers came despite the Browns having a variety of starting quarterbacks due to Watson’s suspension in 2022 and subsequent injury. Continuity is crucial as Watson recovers.
Regarding Cooper’s contract, it remains undervalued in the larger context. He is the 20th highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL on a per-year basis.