The Buffalo Bills recognized their need for a standout wide receiver, and on Tuesday, general manager Brandon Beane took action by trading for Amari Cooper.
Talks with the Cleveland Browns began on Sunday following their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, gaining momentum by Monday morning. Negotiations paused briefly as the Bills focused on their Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets but resumed on Tuesday, resulting in a finalized deal.
“It was an opportunity to add a player with experience and proven talent,” Beane said. “Coach Adam Henry has worked with him before, and I think that will help the transition.”
Cooper, adjusting to the quick turnaround, said with a smile, “Being traded midseason is a fast process, so I’m still taking it in. But at the end of the day, it’s just football.”
The Bills’ current wide receivers have combined for only 53 catches in six games, and while their “everybody eats” approach sounded good in theory, the results have been underwhelming.
Beane emphasized that he wasn’t dissatisfied with the current group, but the opportunity to acquire Cooper was too good to pass up.
I'm fascinated by this stuff.
Brandon Beane was with the Carolina Panthers in 2015. He had a pre-draft meeting & workout with Amari Cooper.
Nearly 10 years later he can remember those two days. He said it played a factor into the trade with the Browns#BillsMafia @WKBW pic.twitter.com/JaGpW63hx5
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 16, 2024
Cooper, rejuvenated by the trade, is excited for a fresh start after a slow start in Cleveland. “It feels like a new beginning, a blank canvas where I can control my destiny,” he said.
With seven 1,000-yard seasons in his 11-year career across three different teams, the Bills hope Cooper can replicate that success with them. However, integrating into a new system takes time.
Head coach Sean McDermott expressed relief that the trade was done early, giving Cooper time to adjust before the trade deadline. Quarterback Josh Allen added, “It’s not easy to learn our offense quickly, but we’ll work hard to get him up to speed.”
