The Cleveland Browns have gotten two strong seasons out of Amari Cooper, but now might be the perfect time to sell high on the Pro Bowl wide receiver. Cooper, who just turned 30, is entering the final year of his restructured $100 million contract, and the fact that the Browns haven’t extended him is a signal that this could be his final year in Cleveland. With Cooper’s value still high after posting 150 receptions for 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons, moving him in a trade could set the Browns up for the future.
The ideal trade scenario for Cleveland would be a deal that brings in younger, cheaper talent at wide receiver, and one team that fits the bill as a potential trade partner is the Green Bay Packers. After making a run to the NFC Divisional Round last season, the Packers are Super Bowl contenders but could use a true No. 1 receiver to complement their young core. One name that stands out is Christian Watson, the Packers’ 2022 second-round pick who has already tallied 14 touchdowns in just 23 games.
Though Watson is an explosive playmaker, injuries have slowed his progress, particularly hamstring issues that have caused him to miss 11 games in his first two seasons. However, ESPN reported that Watson has identified the root cause of his hamstring problems—a muscle imbalance in his legs—and has been working to correct it with targeted weight training. If Watson stays healthy, he could be the kind of big-play threat that would thrive in the Browns’ offense alongside Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku.
Adding Watson to the Browns would be a major win, especially since he has two years remaining on his rookie deal, worth just $9.25 million. In contrast, Cooper’s massive contract could be a burden for a Browns team that needs to maximize every dollar as it navigates tight salary cap space. Trading Cooper would give the Browns financial flexibility and elite talent at a bargain, while Green Bay would gain a proven No. 1 receiver who could push them further in their pursuit of a Super Bowl.
For now, all eyes are on Cooper’s performance in 2024, but the rumblings of trade talks are growing louder. And if the Browns fall out of playoff contention early, expect those talks to heat up even more.
