The Cleveland Browns could have a contract holdout on their hands on the first day of mandatory minicamp.
Veteran receiver Amari Cooper was not present for the first of camp, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Although there hasn't been any indication Cooper is unhappy with his current situation, he is entering the final year of the five-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Cowboys in 2020.
The Browns owe Cooper a $20 million base salary in 20224, per Over The Cap, that doesn't include the $3.776 million prorated signing bonus. None of the salary is guaranteed, either.
Cooper, who'll be 30 in June, has been one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past two seasons. He's caught at least 70 receptions for more than 1,100 yards and five touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. Cooper also made his fifth Pro Bowl this past season and has seven such seasons in his 10-year career. He previously played for the Raiders and Cowboys.
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Seven different receivers signed new deals this offseason worth at least $23 million annually. However, none were older than the age of 27. The only other 30-year-old to earn a new contract was Buccaneers pass-catcher Mike Evans, who signed a two-year, $41 million deal earlier this offseason. That's still more than what Cooper would make in 2024.
Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown signed deals worth at least $30 million, although Jefferson reset the receiver market when he signed his $140 million contract worth $35 million annually. Others like Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and Michael Pittman all inked extensions worth between $23.3 million and $28.25 million annually.
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Cooper isn't the only receiver looking for a new contract this offseason. Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb and Tee Higgins are all skipping their team's respective practices as well.
The Browns signed another receiver to an extension this offseason after trading for Jerry Jeudy. The trio of Cooper, Jeudy and Elijah Moore could be one of the better groups in the NFL, so long as all play together this year.
Cooper's absence and potential holdout, though, could alter the Browns' plans this year.
