The Buffalo Bills have landed Amari Cooper in a blockbuster mid-season trade with the Cleveland Browns.
Star wide receiver Cooper will join up with the Bills in a trade which also sees them get a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, with the Browns handed a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-rounder in return.
Cooper, 30, will fill the No1 receiever slot vacated by Steffon Diggs following his trade to the Houston Texans before the start of the season.
The deal came hours after their AFC East rivals New York Jets, who Buffalo beat 23-20 on Sunday, acquired Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders in another huge deal.
Cooper recorded a career-high 1,250 receiving yards in 2023 but has struggled with a Browns offence that has failed to scored more than 20 points in any of their six games this season.
He leads Cleveland (1-5) with 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns, but his 4.7 yards per target is second worst in the NFL among qualifying pass catchers, while his three drops rank joint-sixth for the worst in the division.
COOOOOOP‼️#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/BMV4rda68o
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 15, 2024
“We appreciate Amari’s hard work, professionalism and on-field contributions throughout his two plus seasons with us,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement.
“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.”
For all of his struggles with the Browns, Cooper is undoubtedly a quality addition to support quarter-back Josh Allen, with Bills receievers ranking 25th or worse in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving first downs.
“First and foremost, we believe in the receivers that we already have in the room,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.
“We’ll see when Amari gets here and how we can get him up to speed and get him integrated into what we do and how we do things. It’s never about one guy.
“We’re thankful to have him, but it’s never about just one guy. It’s about the team, so we’re anxious to get him on board here and get rolling.”
