Amari Cooper. Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Amari Cooper trade results in dumbfounding stat for pitiful Browns offense

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Oct 15, 2024 3:02 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills didn't waste time responding to the AFC East-rival New York Jets' acquisition of wide receiver Davante Adams on Tuesday, trading for star wideout Amari Cooper within hours of their foe's move.

Cooper spent the last two-plus seasons with the Browns, highlighted by his 2023 Pro Bowl campaign as he helped Cleveland make the playoffs for the first time in three years and just the second occasion in 21 seasons.

That was largely due to the play of AP Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco under center, however, not Deshaun Watson, who was limited to six games last season.

Now, with Watson back healthy and starting, Cleveland's offense has been a disaster through six contests this fall.

ESPN's Jake Trotter pointed out a shocking statistic regarding the Browns offense now that Cooper is headed to Western New York.

With the trade of Amari Cooper, backup safety Rodney McLeod is the only Browns player, including offense, to score more than one TD this season.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 15, 2024

After posting five touchdown receptions along with 72 catches for a career-high 1,250 receiving yards last season, Cooper's numbers have dropped drastically this campaign.

He had just 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns via 53 targets across six games with the Browns in 2024. Remarkably, Cooper led Cleveland in each of those categories.

Jerry Jeudy ranked second on the squad in targets (36) and receiving yards (248), while tying with running back Jerome Ford for second in catches (20) and tight ends Blake Whiteheart and Jordan Atkins for second in touchdown receptions (one). Ford and Watson have the only two rushing touchdowns for the team in 2024.

With Cooper out of the picture, 13th-year safety Rodney McLeod takes over the team lead in touchdowns scored. The Virginia product had a 25-yard fumble return for a score in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders and a 50-yard blocked field-goal return for a touchdown in Week 6 versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Browns rank 30th in scoring this season (15.8 points per game). Their rushing attack has only been marginally better (28th, 583 total yards) than the passing offense (30th, 858 total yards).

Now that Cooper is heading to the AFC East, Cleveland's offense may be in for an even uglier second half of the season.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads: