Amari Cooper has transitioned from a fading top receiver in Cleveland to a standout in Buffalo. Eager to equip quarterback Josh Allen with a playmaker, the Bills traded for Cooper on Tuesday, seizing an opportunity to boost their offense amidst the Browns’ declining season.
The Bills’ acquisition of Cooper comes just hours after the New York Jets secured Davante Adams to pair with Aaron Rodgers, further intensifying the AFC East competition. Buffalo hopes this move will solidify their standing and propel them towards a deep postseason run.
Cooper, a five-time Pro Bowler, is expected to enhance Buffalo’s receiving corps, which has been in need of reinforcement since Stefon Diggs was traded to Houston during the offseason. Coach Sean McDermott expressed optimism about the impact of the trade, though he emphasized the importance of Cooper’s performance on the field. “Any time you feel like you’re improving as a football team, I would say yes,” McDermott said. “But on paper is one thing, right? At the end of the day, can the person play and help us? That’s really what we’re here to see over the next couple of days.”
Cooper is set to practice on Wednesday as the Bills prepare for their upcoming game against Tennessee. The trade deal involved Buffalo sending a third-round pick in the 2025 draft and a seventh-rounder in 2026 to Cleveland, receiving Cooper and a sixth-round pick in 2025 in return. This move came a day after Buffalo’s 23-20 victory over the Jets.
For Cooper, the trade marks the end of a frustrating third season with Cleveland. The 30-year-old receiver, in the final year of his contract, has faced challenges including multiple uncharacteristic drops, which have hindered quarterback Deshaun Watson’s performance. On Instagram, Cooper cryptically posted, “Move or rust.”
Cooper’s exit leaves a gap for Watson and shifts more responsibility to receivers Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman. Jeudy, acquired from Denver in an offseason trade, leads with 20 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown. Moore has caught 16 passes for 95 yards but is nursing a rib injury, and Tillman, despite high expectations, has managed only three catches this season.
A fresh start in Buffalo could be advantageous for Cooper, the only player in Browns history to achieve consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Despite a sluggish beginning, Cooper led Cleveland with 24 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His synergy with Watson faltered, as evident by his 12 catches for 137 yards over the past three games.
Nevertheless, Cooper was pivotal in Cleveland’s recent turnaround. Browns general manager Andrew Berry acknowledged Cooper’s contributions, expressing gratitude for his performance and professionalism. “We appreciate Amari’s hard work, professionalism, and on-field contributions throughout his two-plus seasons with us,” Berry said. “He created many memorable moments with us and was an integral part of our 2023 playoff team. We wish him the best in Buffalo as he continues his NFL career.”
Anticipating the trade, McDermott reviewed footage of every pass to Cooper this season and consulted Bills receivers coach Adam Henry, who previously coached Cooper in Dallas. Henry’s positive assessment helped seal the deal. “The things he said were positive,” McDermott noted. “And so we wouldn’t have probably done this if Adam didn’t give us his blessing.”
Renowned for his route-running, Cooper will add depth to Allen’s options. Currently, Khalil Shakir leads the Bills with 20 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns. The team’s receiving unit also includes journeymen Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins, and rookie Keon Coleman. To accommodate Cooper, Buffalo cut Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had only two catches for 26 yards.
McDermott acknowledged that Cooper’s ability to create separation is a quality the team has been missing. Cleveland’s decision to trade one of their top players might indicate a concession for the season, having lost their fourth consecutive game to Philadelphia, 20-16, dropping to 1-5 and failing to score 20 points or gain 300 yards in any game this season.
The inevitability of Cooper’s trade has loomed as the Browns opted not to extend his contract this summer. They restructured it, transforming nearly $19 million of his $20 million base salary into a guaranteed signing bonus. Consequently, the Bills owe only $806,667 in salary for the remainder of the season, making Cooper an affordable acquisition compared to Adams.
Originally acquired from Dallas in a 2022 salary-driven trade, Cooper quickly became a key figure for coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland. However, recent months have been tumultuous for the veteran receiver, who held out at minicamp over his contract before its adjustment prior to training camp. Persistent trade rumors, particularly involving San Francisco, added to the uncertainty before culminating in Tuesday’s trade to Buffalo.