The Browns are expected to cut ties with the $100 million star
The Browns are expected to cut ties with the $100 million star .
The Cleveland Browns Are expected to found a different receiver before the trade deadline, but they may have to part ways with one at the deadline.
Amari Cooper has been the team’s best option in the passing game the past two years, but his salary cap hit is set to reach nearly $24 million in 2024, with Deshaun guaranteeing Watson at $230 million, meaning Cleveland will enter a long-term period. budget maybe more than that.
contract Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted that the Browns will cut or trade Cooper next summer in the name of saving up to $20 million next year. “[Cooper’s] deal expires in 2024, but none of his $20 million 2024 salary is guaranteed,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns restructured the deal when they acquired him in March 2022, which means they will lose some money if they cut him next spring. But cutting or trading him would save $12.5 million on the cap next year, and cutting him after June 1 would save $20 million.
Behind the idea of cutting or trading Cooper is the idea of replacing him at another high level. But there’s nothing like it in Cleveland now. So the Browns may decide extending Cooper is the best plan. That would allow the team to turn a large portion of the receiver money into money that would drive some of the higher cap money a few years later.
“Can they lower Cooper’s cap number and get in contact to keep him? confidence He is a very good player for them. He was 12th last season with 1,160 yards and has 478 yards in seven games this season. There is no reason to think about it other than money and age,” Graziano wrote. “But if you really guarantee a quarterback at $46 million a year, he can’t get on the field and you end up having problems with other options on the roster.
The Browns plan to hit their cap in 2024, Deshaun Watson might not go. The Browns could target Amari Cooper’s replacement in free agency. If the Browns decide he’s too expensive or risky for a long-term investment because of his age (29), they can still cut him or trade him, and his free-agent contract expires next spring. logic can be applied.
The 2024 free agent class looks to be a hot receiver, with players like Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals all set to hit the market in March. The list of available players is subject to change in some areas as teams expand their rosters in the coming months.
Few good names have hit the market, however, and the Browns have a responsibility to pursue one of them if they decide to part ways with Cooper. The team traded Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 31 for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, leaving Elijah Moore and rookie Cedric Tillman at No. 2. 2 and no.
