With wide receiver salaries spiking, Amari Cooper is holding out from mandatory Cleveland Browns minicamp.
Cooper was absent from the start of minicamp on Tuesday. He’s approaching the the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed to reporters that Cooper’s absence was not excused. Cooper has not publicly stated the reason for his absence. But he presumably would like to cash in on the rising wide
receiver market that’s seen multiple contract records set this offseason. A.J. Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles in April that includes $84 million in guaranteed money. Justin
Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings then reset the wide receiver market with a four-year, $140 million contract extension on June 3. His $35 million average annual salary makes Jefferson the highest-paid non-
quarterback in football.