Regardless of a 1-4 begin, Cleveland Browns huge receiver Amari Cooper indicated he is not targeted on being traded throughout the season.
“I am not excited about a [trade],” Cooper instructed the media Thursday. “I am not excited about us profitable some video games. I am excited about us profitable some video games. So, that does not even cross my thoughts.”
Cooper’s optimism is commendable, however the Browns most likely aren’t going to show it round this season.
By means of 5 begins, Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson has accomplished 60.2 % of his passes for 5 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ranks thirty first within the league QBR (21).
After a 34-13 Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders (4-1), Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski stated, “We’re not altering quarterbacks.”
Watson signed a totally assured, five-year, $230M deal in 2022. The Browns most likely need a return on their funding, which can clarify why they are not benching him.
With Watson remaining the beginning QB, Cleveland could preserve dropping video games. If it does, coming into rebuilding mode and buying and selling Cooper would make sense.
“Per week in the past, that thought would’ve been laborious for the crew’s decision-makers to swallow,” wrote The Athletic’s Zac Jackson Wednesday. “Nonetheless, after probably the most embarrassing offensive efficiency but versus Washington, Cleveland a minimum of has to debate buying and selling Cooper as a part of embracing the truth of the scenario.”
Cooper, 30, is within the closing 12 months of a five-year, $100M deal, however the Browns transformed all however $1.21M of his base wage right into a signing bonus this offseason. Thus, a crew that acquired him would take in lower than $1M in wage, through Spotrac co-founder Michael Ginnitti.
His inexpensive contract makes him a lovely commerce candidate for Tremendous Bowl contenders. On Wednesday, CBS Sports activities Cody Benjamin predicted the Buffalo Payments (3-2) will commerce for the five-time Professional Bowler.
Nonetheless, if the Browns ship Cooper elsewhere this season, they may incur $22.854M in useless cap in 2025.
Plus, his numbers have dipped in 2024. By means of 5 video games, he has 20 receptions for 208 yards and two TD catches. Maybe the decline ties to Watson’s poor play.
Regardless, Cooper may very well be a participant to observe earlier than the commerce deadline on Nov. 5.
