How Browns Can End Amari Cooper’s Holdout: Expert Reveals Two Ways to Get Deal Done

As training camp quickly approaches, the Cleveland Browns will want to avoid a potential contract holdout from star receiver Amari Cooper.

One of the greatest concerns for the Cleveland Browns going into training camp is the health of standout receiver Amari Cooper. It’s been reported that the Browns are in the midst of negotiations for a presumptive contract extension after he refused to participate in the mandated minicamp.

Although it’s unclear what Cooper has planned for training camp in the event that the Browns fail to extend his contract by the deadline, it’s safe to assume that it would lead to another holdout. But Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com has presented an alternative for handling a possible holdout.

“The Browns understand that a five-time Pro Bowl player doesn’t want to head into his 10th NFL season with no guaranteed money left on his deal, …” Cabot is a writer. “One way to address the issue would be to restructure Cooper’s 2024 contract, giving him a sizable upfront bonus and reducing his base salary for a lower cap charge.”

The 30-year-old appears not to desire an extension, but it does address one problem: guaranteed money. The 30-year-old Cooper will remain on the Browns’ payroll through 2026 thanks to two vacant years added to his current contract, which calls for a basic salary of $20 million this season, according to OverTheCap.

Through the void years, the Browns could move some, if not all, of that money into a signing bonus for this season and even give him more. All of which can be done without adding time to his contract.

So, what if that is still not good enough for Cooper? Cabot has given a ballpark for what an extension would look like.

“If the Browns want to extend him, they could aim for a two-year deal somewhere in the mid-20s, with a decent bonus, a low 2024 base, and some voidable years to spread out the bonus,” Cabot continued.

Despite Cooper’s holdout, Browns general manager Andrew Berry hasn’t changed his tone on his desire to keep the five-time Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, Cooper’s quarterback, Deshaun Watson, ultimately cheers him on.

“Amari is our brother, our teammate,” Watson said during minicamp. “We support him and the decisions that he’s got to make for himself. Everyone in his locker room respects him and knows exactly what he’s about, and whenever he gets back he’s going to be ready to go.”