After the Cleveland Browns traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, outsiders noted that move showed the 1-5 Browns were essentially punting on the remainder of the season.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed such takes while speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
“I think our guys get that the No. 1 thing here is to win,” Stefanski said, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “The No. 1 thing is to compete. The truth is, you do lose guys throughout the course of the season. Sometimes it’s due to injury, sometimes it’s due to trade — whatever it may be. And our guys have to step up when that time comes.”
The Browns restructured Cooper’s contract this past summer but then reportedly were willing to package him in a deal that would’ve resulted in Cleveland acquiring wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk ultimately signed an extension to stay with San Francisco, and The Athletic’s Zac Jackson said on Wednesday that “Cooper had been miserable this season with the Browns” while playing alongside struggling quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Numerous reporters and analysts believe Stefanski is facing pressure from Browns general manager Andrew Berry and/or team owner Jimmy Haslam to continue starting Watson despite his struggles. Meanwhile, Cooper joined a 4-2 Bills side that could compete for more than just a playoff berth.
As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Bills tied for third among the betting favorites at +550 odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX.
“I think [you’re] disappointed when you lose any player, for injury or otherwise — trade, whatever it is,” Stefanski said on Wednesday. “I wish Amari luck. Obviously, I talked to him yesterday…You obviously become close to your players and you don’t like to lose anybody for any reason. But, we understand the business part of that and we’re excited [for] what the opportunities will be for some other guys.”
Despite Stefanski’s comments about wanting to win, logic suggests the Browns will look to unload additional worthwhile assets before the Nov. 5 trade deadline arrives.
