The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns have one of the greatest rivalries in the NFL, with fanbases that passionately despise each other and their respective teams. The Browns, once a weak rival in the AFC North, have become a respectable and formidable football team over the last couples of seasons.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' former QB Mason Rudolph has his helmet stolen and used as a weapon by Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett.
This offseason, the Browns made several moves to bolster their roster, including adding wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to an already strong receiving corps. A key factor in the Browns' offensive success has been the rise of wide receiver Amari Cooper, who had an outstanding 2023 season. Browns fans have greatly appreciated Cooper's impact on their offense.
However, a recent report suggests that Cooper is not entirely happy with his current situation in Cleveland. Brad Stainbrook, a reporter for the Orange and Brown Report, wrote that sources indicate Cooper may be dissatisfied with the organization. Stainbrook detailed the unfolding Cooper saga in his report via his sources.
“The negotiations are ongoing, but money is not the main issue. The Browns are willing to give Cooper an increased salary for this season. The sticking point is the length of the deal. The Browns have yet to offer Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper a contract extension longer than one year, a league source tells TheOBR.com.”
The situation with Cooper isn't dire for Browns fans, but it does indicate a potential risk of losing their star wide receiver. After an outstanding 2023 season, Cooper is seeking an extended contract as a reward for his performance. While the Browns are willing to pay Cooper, the delay stems from disagreements over the timeline for the contract extension.
“Cooper, who turned 30 years old on Monday and is entering his last year under contract -- coming off arguably the best season of his career, Cooper is seeking a contract extension of at least two years guaranteed. The Browns, however are reluctant to offer Cooper such a contract. To this point, the Browns are offering a one-year extension, but have been willing to include guaranteed money for the extra year.”
In the 2023 season, Cooper was incredibly productive, catching 72 passes for 1,250 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns. Drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Cooper has made five Pro Bowl appearances during his nine-year NFL career, achieving seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cooper has played with the Browns for two seasons, becoming a focal point of their offense. In this time, he has amassed 150 catches for 2,410 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Recently, Cooper decided to skip mandatory minicamp as he negotiates a new deal with the team. The organization remains confident they can reach an agreement and keep Cooper as a key part of their offense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a game.
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about Cooper's absence and contract negotiations. Stefanski showed no interest in discussing the contract situation, preferring to leave it to Cooper, his agent, and the Browns' management. This has led to speculation about growing tension between Cooper and the organization. However, the Browns are eager to retain Cooper.
Steelers Would Love To Trade For Amari Cooper But It's Not Likely
It's a situation worth monitoring. The Steelers' wide receiver room is currently not very strong. If Cooper and the Browns fail to reach an agreement, there is a slim but unlikely chance that the Steelers could consider to attempt a trade with their arch-rival for Cooper. It is far from likely but anytime a big name wide receiver has tension within an organization. The Steelers are going to be mentioned. No matter what.
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Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper gets flipped while making a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2022 NFL season.
In-division trades are rare and generally avoided by organizations, but if the Steelers could manage a trade for Cooper, it would be a significant move. The most likely scenario appears to be the Browns getting a two year contract extension done with Cooper. However, the tension continues to grow between Cooper and the Browns. Steelers fans will continue to watch and see what unfolds. Cooper has been an absolute dog since entering the league in 2015, and dog breeds like him don't come around often.
What do you think ends up happening with Cooper? Comment below!
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