To many, the extension seems as a must for the Browns. He is obviously talented, and why would Andrew Berry risk not having his top receiver for the 2024 season?

But it’s not just about money – there are so many other issues that Browns GM Andrew Berry has to consider. Let’s take a deep dive into everything that Cleveland has to weigh during this process, and come up with a logical conclusion for both parties.

The Original Plan
On Mar 13, the Cleveland Browns made the bold decision to trade for former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The deal seemed like a bargain for the former first-round pick in 2020, giving up a 2024 fifth and sixth round pick.

Three days later, the Browns inked Jeudy to a three-year, $58 million extension. Compared to the growing wide receiver market, this extension looks like a steal. However, while the initial trade may not have been much of a gamble, it was the extension that made this investment a “risk”. Jeudy has yet to eclipse the 1,000 receiving yard mark in his four seasons with the Broncos.

The decision to extend Jeudy instead of Cooper and Elijah Moore led people to believe that this would be the final season for both receivers. The plan would have been perfect, as the Browns could have Cooper and Jeudy this season, then taken a wideout within the first two rounds of the 2025 draft.

Instead, Cooper has trapped Cleveland into a tough situation, forcing the Browns to keep him around for longer. This becomes an issue due to Cooper’s current state.