DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns News Continued...

I will also add when you have a dominant pass catching TE, the WR corps as a whole doesn't need to be stellar from top to bottom.

I'd rather give up a first round draft pick and another pick if need be. Let Cooper play out his final year. Give Watson every last possible weapon. The Browns could still restructure Watson to free up cap space to work out a long term deal with Aiyuk (I believe so anyway). That would also mean they have faith and are absolutely committing to Watson without much of a way out.

Hi can’t see how it wouldn’t include cooper. They’re both bonifide #1’s and together would command something like $45-50MM after they rework Aiyuk’s contract. No way they’re both in the payroll. I don’t know if we can or can’t handle the cap hit but that’s a massive number.

I like cooper the person so much, I just think his presence on the team is so positive. It’s just the injury thing. I really don’t know Aiyuk, the person or the player tbh. I’ve seen his numbers and heard all the talk but I haven’t watch a ton of 9ers games. I don’t know his injury history. So obviously I feel some trepidation.

Really leveraging us to increase the trade value.

Coop says he wants to be here long term. I truly feel like the team does too.

Ultimately this feels like the 9ers playing hardball. "Okay you requested a trade... just say what you want to do"... also add in that he had been trying to get traded to the Steelers... He also probably knows that should he get traded here he's likely to get franchise tagged.

I can't say I am eager, but I would make the deal, depending on what other considerations are involved. I would assume our 1st rounder and maybe a bit more.

It's evident we aren't looking to extend Cooper past this year and Cooper doesn't seem willing to work on 1 year deals.

Morning talk show take....

If it's truly between us and the Patriots and the choice is which team can woo Aiyuk, then I think it's a slam dunk for us.

-We've shown lots of love to new receivers (in terms of $$)
-Say what you want about Watson, but our QB/offense situation is WAAAY better than the Patriots. They do have the legend that is Jacoby Brissett, but they are in a full-on rebuild
-Along the same lines as the previous, we are much better built to win now.


The rumors about the Steelers make no sense. On paper, they are a mess and there's no way he's looked at their QB room and wants to play there. Zero chance.

I also trust AB, but if he has a weakness it's been WRs. He's made a LOT of moves at the WR position (draft and FA), and his only real hit has been Cooper (and DPJ, if you want to count that).

j/c:

There is a lot of speculation out there that the Browns have been included as a "final" team because they want to drive up the asking price for Pittsburgh, who has been linked to Aiyuk all offseason. The possibility of shipping Aiyuk to a division rival would up the ante of Pittsburgh's offer at the last minute. That said, I don't normally view Pittsburgh as a team involved in these high stakes trades....normally they like the draft picks to build their team over trades and FA. Further, I would assume SF would want offensive weapons in return as they are a Super Bowl contender and can win it all this year. I'm not sure what players on the offensive end, outside of Pickens, Pittsburgh could offer and I can't envision PIT wanting to trade Pickens. He's younger with as much upside.

We'll see.

Very seldom I disagree with you, but this would have a downside that mirrors the OBJ disaster, maybe worse. If everything doesn't smell like roses from the go, the season starts slow, the Browns fall behind in the standings, finger-pointing starts, and everybody isn't "getting their touches"? I can see it now like it's already destined to play out and it scares the crap out of me lol. Keep that high draft pick and trade Coop if you think Aiyuk puts us over the top. Personally? I want no part of this trade unless Aiyuk would commit beforehand.

If you mean contractually, I think it's been said the team would have to have an extension signed as part of the trade parameters.

I wouldn’t mind this trade, but I have a feeling that when all is said and done, everyone stays put.

I'm always very nervous to take a WR from a Shanahan coached offense and expect that WR to excel in a different offense. Double that up with the fact we know Cooper is successful in our offense.

All good points, and at this point, Aiyuk coming here might be the best option for us. I’d rather have Aiyuk here and Amari in Frisco rather than Amari here and Aiyuk in the ‘Burgh.

j/c

I don't know the cap particulars, but I don't want us to break the bank for Aiyuk (trading Cooper, 1st round pick, AND all that money). He's good, but that's dangerous IMO

Here's a good read.

Kyle Shanahan Is No Longer Running the Shanahan Offense

I agree. Aiuyk is a very talented player but we know that Amari fits here. Will BA fit as well? With Amari we start off on all cylinders. There will be a learning process with Aiuyk and DW. Maybe I’m overthinking on this. We’ll see what happens.

I see AB trading an up-and-coming player(s) (Bell and or Tillman) and maybe a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for Aiyuk.

AB signs Aiyuk to a guaranteed 4-year contract for about $25 million. Cooper plays out his contract and either re-signs next year for a cheaper deal or moves on.

I don't see Aiyuk settling for $25 million/year. I see him expecting closer to 30 if not over.
JMO

I think there’s almost zero chance that Shanny gives up Aiyuk and doesn’t have at least a borderline #1 receiver coming back. In other words, if Aiyuk is coming here, Coop is going there. Maybe they send the $10MM bonus back to us but I doubt it.

That things taking so long for Aiyuk to make a decision tells me they have a contract offer below the $30MM number and he’s weighing free agency next year against guarantees right now.

Of course I know nothing but as I see the pieces, that’s the only picture that makes sense.

Edit: I won’t be mad if the above happens but I’m perfectly ok with him going to New England and Coop staying put. My only worry is injury with Coop. I would not be at all happy if he somehow ended up in Pitt. That would be awful.

Agreed. Especially, since it's been reported that Aiyuk has already turned down the 49ers offer for 4 years with annual average salary of $26M/year (assuming the report is true).

i am hoping it's anyone but the Browns. He reminds me of OBJ too much lol

"Guaranteed" is the key.

Paying Aiyuk $30 million/year means they don't re-sign Chubb and Njoku.

Signing Aiyuk, Watson, Chubb, and Njoku would eat a major portion of the salary cap for just 4 players.

If Aiyuk comes to Cleveland, it'll be a deal similar to Cooper. I don't see Pittsburgh and New England making a big splash deal. Neither franchise is known for making heavy financial trades.

Like everyone on here I have no idea what the Browns will do when it comes to Aiyuk. I'm not sure I would blame them one way or the other. And while it's only spitballing my opinion is pretty clear in terms of Cooper. It's obvious that the Browns didn't want to make a long term commitment to Cooper. As has been pointed out Cooper has made it clear he wants to remain a Browns yet no long term contract extension was reached.

Cooper will be 31 entering next season. I don't believe this organization would feel it wise to make a large, long term investment in a 31 year old WR. Even when it's Amari Cooper. So I'm seriously thinking that unless Cooper would be willing to sign for far less money next year, and I don't see that happening, I think he will no longer be a Brown. I combine that with where the 49'ers are at. Deebo Samuel's is under contract through the 2025 season on a three year 71.5 million dollar contract. It seems as though they are trying their best to unload Aiyuk to avoid having to pay over 50 million a year to their top 2 WR's so why would anyone think the Browns would want to be in that position?

So if the Browns work out a deal for Aiyuk it seems plausible to me they would make Cooper a part of that package. The only question left to be answered for me if such a trade gets done is will it be the 49'ers that have Cooper as a one year band aid at the #1 WR position or will it be the Browns? One of them would have Aiyuk and the other one will be looking for a #1 WR next year.

My gut tells me we are thrown into the pile to drive up the price and/or leverage for SF

If they would take Moore/Conklin and a 3rd? Sure!

But I don't want to give up Cooper and a 1st

I’d be ok with this.