One of the more intriguing contract situations in the NFL right now is that of Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cooper did not report to mandatory minicamp earlier this summer as he awaits a new extension from the team.
The 30-year-old recently broke his silence on his contract situation while a fan was jokingly trying to challenge him to a race.
“I’m trying to get paid this year,” Cooper laughably said.
“I’m trying to get paid this year,” – Amari Cooper 😳😳🤔
(Via @betr) pic.com/7DgBIPGpzV
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 25, 2024
It makes sense that Cooper would not want to jeopardize his health with a meaningless race.
Despite just turning 30 years of age, the five-time Pro-Bowler is still playing productive football.
He is coming off of a career year in terms of yards receiving (1,250).
The former Alabama star has recorded over 1,000 yards in four of the last five years with three different teams.
In other words, it doesn’t matter who is throwing him the ball.
He is more likely than not going to produce if he is healthy.
It might be in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns to extend Cooper, who has been very consistent since he came over from Dallas in 2022.
With a healthy Deshaun Watson and a healthy Nick Chubb in the fold, the sky can be the limit for Cleveland’s offense.
But for that to happen, they need to keep Cooper happy.
With other key pieces around Watson in Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku and a former first-round receiver Jerry Jeudy, who got paid earlier this offseason, Cooper is the last and maybe most important piece of the puzzle that needs to be dealt with before training camp begins.
