Browns WR Amari Cooper sends message to the team on first day of mandatory minicamp by not being present
The Cleveland Browns have a new problem on their hands as they have begun Day 1 of mandatory minicamp in Berea, Ohio. Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper was not present on the first day of the minicamp that is mandatory for players to attend. This news comes as Cooper has just the 2024 season […]
The Cleveland Browns have a new problem on their hands as they have begun Day 1 of mandatory minicamp in Berea, Ohio.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper was not present on the first day of the minicamp that is mandatory for players to attend. This news comes as Cooper has just the 2024 season left on his current contract and is likely looking for an extension.
With the recent spike in wide receiver contracts around the NFL, it comes as no surprise that Cooper wants his piece of the pie.
By not showing up to the mandatory minicamp, the star wide receiver may have just hurt his pockets a bit. Cooper is now subject to fines for being absent which will break down into different amounts for each of the three days that you will see below.
- Day 1: $16,953
- Day 2: $33,908
- Day 3: $50,855
- Total: $101,716
Cooper is playing on a $23.8 million cap number in 2024 but is entering his age 30 season with no years left on his contract after this. This offseason, the Browns went out and added Jerry Jeudy in a trade from the Denver Broncos. After Jeudy joined the team, the Browns signed an extension with him that is worth $52 million over three seasons. He is the top wide receiver under contract following this season with Cooper and Elijah Moore scheduled to be free agents.
"We all respect Coop,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said after practice. “He's got to handle what he's got to handle. He's the best in the game and I believe that."
Since trading a fifth-round selection to the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, Cooper has been a huge part of what the Browns do on offense. In his first season in Cleveland, Cooper totaled 1,160 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games played. This past season he was a Pro Bowler with 1,250 yards and five touchdowns.
"Not excused,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said of the absence. “These situations, you do understand they come up. I'll leave all those conversations to Amari, Amari's agent and AB (Andrew Berry). There's been a dialogue."
Now with Cleveland having their top wideout holding out, it becomes something to monitor. Cleveland must give Deshaun Watson everything possible to succeed in 2024. Cooper is as big of a part of that as it gets.
Ideally, the Browns will come to an agreement on a new two-year deal with Cooper but that has yet to happen.
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