The Cleveland Browns open their 2025 training camp Wednesday afternoon. Last year at this time, hopes were high coming off of a playoff appearance with Deshaun Watson coming back healthy with a new offensive scheme.
We all know how that worked out.
Heading into Browns training camp this year, expectations are much lower with many noting what they believe to be a soft reset to an older, expensive roster. Watson is injured with Joe Flacco back to compete with Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon
Gabriel for the starting quarterback job.
With some concern that the Cleveland offense needs at least one more playmaker, Amari Cooper’s name often comes up among Browns fans despite his dramatic fall off in production in 2024. Cooper remains on the free agent market, after the Buffalo Bills acquired him for a third-round pick last year.
In a bit of an update, Tony Grossi, answering questions in his mailbag, seemingly squashed any reunion rumors before they even got started:
In eight games with Buffalo, playing with league MVP QB Josh Allen, Cooper had 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper is still unsigned. He is 31. I think trading Cooper for a third-round pick was one of the best transactions Andrew Berry has made as Browns GM. Although Cooper and Flacco made beautiful music together in 2023, I really think his ship has sailed out of the Cleveland port.
Given the testy relationship last offseason, Cooper’s struggles for both teams in 2024 and the Browns transitioning to a new phase, a return for the team’s former top receiver never really made a lot of sense.
More from dawgsbynature.com:
- ESPN drops some news about the Browns’ quarterback situation
- NFL picks and predictions for Week 2
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/16/16)
- Browns’ Color Rush uniforms unveiled, but Cleveland won’t get to wear them in 2016
- Film Study: Browns’ only TD drive vs. Eagles
- Film Study: Browns’ 1st three offensive series vs. Eagles - All 3-and-outs, with a botched fake
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/15/16)
