Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry is under intense scrutiny as the team faces major consequences from offseason decisions.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Browns are close to trading wide receiver Amari Cooper, a move necessitated by salary cap constraints stemming from the $230 million contract Berry awarded quarterback Deshaun Watson.
This contract, which includes $175 million guaranteed, has limited the Browns’ flexibility to retain and acquire top players.
Acquired in March 2022, Cooper was a productive addition, recording 78 catches for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns in his only season with Cleveland.
However, his $22 million cap hit for the 2024 season has become burdensome for the cap-strapped team. Trading Cooper is expected to bring much-needed draft picks and cap relief, though it highlights the Browns’ struggle to build a strong roster around Watson.
Berry’s choice to commit such a large sum to Watson has been met with skepticism due to Watson’s off-field issues and inconsistent performance.
This has left the Browns with fewer resources to surround him with top talent, increasing the pressure on Berry to make the deal worthwhile.
The trade may free up cap space, but it also underscores the difficulty Cleveland faces in building a balanced team with Watson’s large contract on the books.
Sources suggest Berry’s job may be on the line if the team doesn’t succeed over the next few seasons. Though ownership has publicly backed him, there’s pressure to deliver a competitive team.
To address the roster limitations, Berry will need to be resourceful in the draft and seek hidden talent to compensate for the cap constraints.
This challenge will test his skill in roster management, starting with the Cooper trade and continuing into the 2025 offseason.
Despite these challenges, Browns fans are hopeful that Berry can turn things around.
The team’s fanbase is eager for success, and many see the Cooper trade as the first step in rebuilding the roster. But with Watson’s contract looming large, Berry has little room for error as he works to reshape the team. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, all eyes are on Cleveland to see if Berry’s gamble will pay off or if the Cooper trade will serve as a reminder of the Browns’ costly missteps.
