The Green Bay Packers have a lot of young talent at wide receiver, raising the question of whether they should trade for an experienced star to strengthen the group.
This idea was proposed by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report on Wednesday, September 4, in which he suggested a trade with the Cleveland Browns for Amari Cooper.
“There are two scenarios where Cooper might become available. In one, the Browns could fall out of contention early and decide to trade the five-time Pro Bowler before he enters free agency in 2025,” Knox explained. “Cooper would be a great fit for a team like the Packers, who need a proven No. 1 receiver.”
Cooper, 30, is entering the final season of his five-year, $100 million contract.
Amari Cooper Fits With Packers This Year, Potentially Long-Term on Right Contract
The Packers currently have nearly $16 million in available cap space, and while Cooper’s average annual salary is $20 million, Spotrac lists his 2024 cap hit at a more manageable $8.75 million. The bigger issue for Green Bay isn’t the money left on Cooper’s contract but rather who they’d have to part with in a trade, and whether they could secure him on a long-term deal that offers good value.
Spotrac estimates Cooper’s market value at over $22 million annually on a new four-year deal. However, the Packers may be reluctant to exchange affordable young talent for an expensive veteran over 30. For this reason, Green Bay and Cooper would likely need to agree on the terms of an extension behind the scenes before any deal could be finalized with Cleveland.
Cooper has been consistently productive, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 with 1,250 yards and five touchdowns on 72 catches. He’s also shown durability, missing only seven of a possible 147 regular-season games over his nine-year career.
In short, trading for Cooper could provide the Packers with proven production, but they would likely avoid a hefty long-term commitment or sacrificing too many assets, given how players tend to decline with age.
Christian Watson Makes Most Sense as Trade Chip in Deal for Amari Cooper
Among the Packers’ top four wide receivers, Christian Watson might be the best trade centerpiece in a potential deal for Amari Cooper. As a former high second-round pick and dynamic playmaker, Watson offers tremendous upside. However, recurring injuries in his first two seasons raise concerns about offering him a lucrative long-term contract.
Watson has racked up 14 total touchdowns in just 23 games, and his ability to stretch the field could complement Deshaun Watson in Cleveland’s offense. On the Packers’ side, Cooper would join Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Doubs and Reed each caught 8 touchdowns last season, while Wicks added 4 of his own.
Even if Cooper doesn’t stay in Green Bay long-term, he would serve as the clear No. 1 option for a team with Super Bowl hopes in 2024. Meanwhile, the Packers could move on from Watson before his unrestricted free agency in 2026 and still rely on their talented young trio of Doubs, Reed, and Wicks.
