The Buffalo Bills have made a significant move to bolster their offense by acquiring wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade on Tuesday. This trade brings Cooper, an elite receiver, to complement star quarterback Josh Allen, positioning the Bills to strengthen their passing game and compete at the highest level.
In the deal, the Bills received Cooper along with a 2025 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a seventh-round selection in 2026. Cooper, now 30, steps in as the new No. 1 receiver for the Bills after the team traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this season.
The Bills, currently 4-2, wasted no time in securing Cooper to fill this critical role, particularly after watching their division rivals, the New York Jets, make their own power move by acquiring Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Amari Cooper: A Proven Star with Much to Offer
Amari Cooper is not a newcomer to the trade scene, as this marks the third time in his career he has been traded. He initially entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick for the Oakland Raiders, who traded him to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. After a few standout seasons with Dallas, Cooper was dealt to the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
Despite a tough season for the Browns (1-5) in 2024, Cooper remained one of the team’s top performers. He leads Cleveland with 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns through six games, but his production has been hampered by the Browns’ overall offensive struggles.
Cooper’s average of 4.7 yards per target ranks among the lowest in the league, and his three dropped passes are tied for the sixth most in the NFL. However, his prior season in 2023 showcased his elite skills, with Cooper recording a career-high 1,250 receiving yards.
Cooper’s performance decline in 2024 has not been due to a lack of effort or skill but rather a reflection of Cleveland’s inability to get its offense firing on all cylinders. The Browns, seeing Cooper in the final year of his five-year contract and with his $20 million salary largely converted into a signing bonus, made him an appealing candidate for teams in need of receiver help.
The Bills seized this opportunity, confident that Cooper’s addition will pay dividends as they look to make a deep playoff run.
Buffalo’s Offense Gets a Big Boost with Cooper
The addition of Cooper is a much-needed upgrade for the Bills’ receiving corps. After parting ways with Diggs, Buffalo struggled to find consistency in its passing attack. While the team adopted a strategy focused on distributing the ball to multiple players, the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver has been evident in recent games.
Buffalo’s wide receivers rank in the bottom quartile of the league in key categories like targets, receptions, receiving yards, and first downs.
Cooper’s arrival should instantly change that. His route-running ability, speed, and experience make him a dangerous weapon in both short and deep passing situations. For Josh Allen, Cooper provides a reliable target capable of creating separation and making contested catches downfield.
The Bills’ head coach, Sean McDermott, expressed his excitement about Cooper joining the team while emphasizing the importance of a collective effort:
“First and foremost, we believe in the receivers that we already have in the room,” McDermott said. “We’ll see when Amari gets here and how we can get him up to speed and integrated into what we do. It’s never about one guy. We’re thankful to have him, but it’s about the team, and we’re anxious to get him on board and get rolling.”
Cooper’s veteran presence and ability to perform at a high level will likely elevate the overall play of Buffalo’s receiving unit. His track record of 691 receptions for 9,736 yards and 62 touchdowns over 11 seasons speaks for itself. As a five-time Pro Bowl selection, Cooper brings the experience of competing at the highest level, and the Bills will be eager to see him connect with Allen on big plays down the stretch.
Amari Cooper’s Fit in Buffalo’s Offense
One of the biggest questions for Buffalo fans is how Cooper will fit into the team’s current offensive scheme. Under offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, the Bills have relied heavily on Josh Allen’s dual-threat ability as both a passer and a runner.
With Cooper now in the mix, Buffalo’s passing game will likely see a shift toward more vertical plays designed to take advantage of Cooper’s speed and route-running expertise.
Another key area where Cooper will make an impact is in the red zone. The Buffalo Bills have struggled to consistently score touchdowns inside the 20-yard line, and Cooper’s ability to win jump balls and outmuscle defenders in tight spaces should make him a go-to target for Allen when the team is threatening to score.
Cooper’s presence is expected to make him Buffalo’s No. 1 receiver, freeing up other Bills receivers like Gabe Davis and rookie Dalton Kincaid to thrive. With defenses likely to focus on containing Cooper, Buffalo’s other pass catchers could find more opportunities to get open and make plays.
The Financial Side of the Trade
From a financial standpoint, the trade for Cooper is a savvy move by Buffalo’s front office. The Browns had restructured Cooper’s contract, converting much of his base salary into a signing bonus, which makes his cap hit more manageable for the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo’s decision to trade away a third-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick in 2026 also shows their commitment to winning now, with the window for success wide open as long as Josh Allen is in his prime.
The trade also carries some risk, as Cooper is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season. However, if Cooper performs as expected, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Buffalo Bills try to lock him up with a long-term deal before he hits the open market.
The Future for Cleveland Without Cooper
For the Browns, trading away Cooper signals a shift toward rebuilding and focusing on the future. The team’s 1-5 start to the season and continued struggles on offense made it clear that major changes were necessary. By moving Cooper, Cleveland frees up cap space and acquires draft capital to help shape its roster for the long term.
The Browns’ general manager, Andrew Berry, acknowledged Cooper’s contributions to the team but expressed optimism about the future in his statement:
“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 and was an integral part of our 2023 playoff team. We wish him the best in Buffalo as he continues his NFL career.”
What’s Next for the Bills?
With Cooper now in Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills have taken a major step toward strengthening their team for a postseason run. However, the road ahead won’t be easy, especially with tough competition within the AFC East. The Jets’ acquisition of Davante Adams has intensified the rivalry, and the Miami Dolphins remain a formidable opponent.
For now, Buffalo fans can look forward to seeing Amari Cooper in action alongside Josh Allen, with hopes that this move will propel the team to greater success in the 2024 season and beyond.
