The Browns began their mandatory minicamp without star wide receiver Amari Cooper present on Tuesday. Reporters covering the team’s practice noticed Cooper was missing, leading to speculation about his absence. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to address the situation with reporters later in the day. Cooper’s absence could lead to fines if it is deemed unexcused, as he is in the final year of his contract with a base salary of $20 million for the 2024 season.
It’s worth noting that Cooper also did not attend the team’s voluntary OTA practices earlier in the offseason. Despite this, Browns General Manager Andrew Berry expressed a desire to keep players like Cooper on the team for as long as possible back in March. The team made a move to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in a trade and subsequently signed him to a three-year extension. With Cooper’s future uncertain, his absence at minicamp could potentially open the door for contract negotiations between him and the team.
Fans and analysts will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds, especially as the Browns navigate their offseason roster decisions. As minicamp progresses, Cooper’s absence may shed more light on his future with the team and whether a new deal is in the works.