The Cleveland Browns made a surprising move by adjusting star wide receiver Amari Cooper’s contract instead of granting him an extension as he had expected before or at the start of training camp, which commenced on Tuesday.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Browns and Cooper came to an agreement on a restructured contract that guaranteed his $20 million salary and also included a raise.
The #Browns and WR Amari Cooper have agreed on a restructured contract to guarantee his $20M salary and give him a raise, sources say. He’s in the building and has reported to camp. pic.twitter.com/eZpwXPl2ap
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2024
Reports from Rapoport suggest Cooper also has the opportunity to earn an extra $5 million in incentives this season and receive half of his guaranteed salary upfront.
Prior to this adjustment, Cooper skipped the Browns’ OTA practices and mandatory minicamp in pursuit of a contract extension. Despite efforts from Cleveland to reach an agreement, the negotiation hit an impasse.
Before the restructuring on Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported the team’s hopes to finalize a deal before the start of training camp.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed discussions between the team and Cooper, hinting at a likely resolution. Coming off an impressive season, Cooper, aged 30, is looking to maintain his impact as a key player in the Browns’ wide receiver corps.
Despite the addition of Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos, Cooper remains poised to lead the team’s receiving unit entering the upcoming season. His partnership with quarterback Deshaun Watson aims to propel the Browns to a successful year and a playoff return.
The veteran Pro Bowler, with over 9,000 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns, will continue to be a vital asset in the Browns’ pursuit of success on the field.