Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper did not show up for the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and head coach Kevin Stefanski said his absence was not excused. Stefanski didn’t say if it was because of contract issues but mentioned that the team has been talking with Cooper’s agent.
Cooper, approaching his 30th birthday next Monday, is in the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract initially signed with the Dallas Cowboys. His 2024 base salary stands at $20 million, which is not guaranteed. Despite being absent from the team’s OTA practices that were open to the media, Cooper was seen in Cleveland last weekend attending tight end David Njoku’s celebrity softball game.
This offseason has seen significant contract extensions for wide receivers, including Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins. The Browns themselves traded for Jerry Jeudy in March and extended his contract for three years, worth $58 million. These moves highlight the dynamic and competitive market for top-tier wide receiver talent.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson praised Cooper, calling him “the best in the league” and highlighting his consistent performance over the past two years with different quarterbacks. Cooper joined the Browns in March 2022 following a trade with the Dallas Cowboys and had a standout 2023 season, recording 72 receptions for a career-high 1,250 yards and five touchdowns.