"I'm trying to get paid this year": Amari Cooper expresses concern over injury guarantees

Amari Cooper has spent the past two NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, totaling 150 receptions for 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has been a crucial contributor to their offense, serving as their top wide receiver in his two seasons with the team.

He is expected to serve that role again in the 2024 NFL season, but a contract dispute needs to be settled first.

The Browns have been in contract negotiations with Cooper, who is reportedly seeking a significant extension prior to the start of the season. He is entering the final year of his current deal.

Like many star players in a similar situation, he wants a new contract now, rather than running the risk of playing out the final season on his current one.

Earlier this month, Cooper decided to skip the Browns' minicamps as he appears to be holding out for the contract that he's looking for. He has generally avoided speaking to the media about the negotiations but was recently caught on camera commenting on the situation on the Betr TikTok account.

Cooper said:

"I'd pull a hammy or something trying to race you. I'm trying to get paid this year."

Amari Cooper was challenged to run a race against one of the Betr members. He declined the proposal, using his ongoing contract negotiations as a reason not to do it.

He wants to make sure that he doesn't suffer any injury that could surely hurt his chances of getting the deal he is seeking. He thinks risking a hamstring injury is not worth jeopardizing his desired massive payday.

For what it's worth, Browns general manager Andrew Berry recently explained on The Insiders that Cooper is a major part of their offense and overall culture. He expressed his desire to get a deal done with his star wide receiver. But he also admitted that these situations can often be complicated. So, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Browns WRs would be a major weakness without Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper

The Cleveland Browns have been looking to improve their wide receivers, which has been one of their weaker positions in recent seasons. Last year, they added Elijah Moore and followed that up by acquiring Jerry Jeudy for this season.

This potentially solves their issue, but without Amari Cooper, they would theoretically be even weaker than they were prior to the additions.

Moore and Jeudy failed to make much of an impact on their previous teams after entering the NFL with high expectations. So, they no longer profile as top options in a passing offense.

Cooper has already proven to be a true WR1 who can lead the group. But if they can't agree to a new contract, they are left without an established impact player at the position.