Amari Cooper reported to Browns headquarters, agreed to a contract restructuring and took a conditioning test on Tuesday. Now it's on to The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia for the start of training camp. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Amari Cooper ended his holdout when he and the Browns reached a deal to restructure the remaining year on his contract. It all came down about one hour before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. reporting deadline for Browns veterans.
Under the restructuring, Cooper’s $20 million base salary was split into an upfront $10 million payment and the remaining $10 million paid over the season. Another $5 million in incentives was written into the new deal.
There were no years added, however, which means this would be the last season in Cleveland for the Browns’ No. 1 receiver – unless there is a new deal in the future.
Cooper accrued over $100,000 in fines for missing the mandatory three-day minicamp in June. He would have been fined $50,000 a day if his holdout extended into training camp.
Cooper’s potential arrival was the only question mark as all Browns veterans reported on time.
The team will conduct a walk-through at their CrossCountry Mortgage headquarters on Wednesday before departing to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV, for six practices over the next eight days. Their first day on the field is Thursday afternoon.
The Browns will announce their injury designations on Wednesday. Running back Nick Chubb and others are expected to begin camp on the physically unable to perform list.
With Cooper in the fold, the Browns eliminated one issue facing their offense. But there are plenty of others.
Offensive line
Projected starters: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin.
Others: Hakeem Adeniji, Zak Zinter (r), Brian Allen, Michael Dunn, Dawand Jones, James Hudson, Germain Ifedi, Luke Wypler, Wyatt Davis, Lorenzo Thompson (r), Javion Cohen (r), Roy Mbaeteka.
1. Can new line coaches Andy Dickerson and Roy Istvan offset the loss of legend Bill Callahan?
2. When will Conklin be able to return to practice? If he can’t, what is his future with the Browns?
3. How does the line to adapt to coordinator Ken Dorsey’s shotgun spread offensive system?
Running back
Projected starter: Nick Chubb.
Others: Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong, D’Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines, John Kelly, Aidan Robbins (r).
1. When will Chubb return to practice? If he doesn’t before the roster cut and begins the season on PUP, how many games beyond the required four will he miss?
2. How does Dorsey reshape the running game in his shotgun spread offense?
3. How much of a culture change will fiery, new running backs coach Duce Staley be from Stump Mitchell?
Wide receiver
Projected starters: Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore.
Others: Cedric Tillman, David Bell, Jamari Thrash (r), Michael Woods, Jaelen Darden, James Proche, Matt Landers, Jalen Camp, Ahmarean Brown (r).
1. With Cooper now in the fold after a contract restructuring, will he double as WR1 and Jeudy’s personal mentor?
2. How soon can Jeudy establish rapport with the starting quarterback?
3. Is the towering Tillman heads and shoulders above the others for the WR4 spot?
Tight end
Projected starter: David Njoku.
Others: Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci, Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Treyton Welch (r).
1. Njoku took his game to another level with Joe Flacco at the helm the last month of the season. Can that continue with Flacco gone?
2. With Dorsey converting the offense to shotgun spread, have we seen the last of two- and three-tight end formations?
3. Is there a need to acquire another tight end?
Quarterback
Projected starter: Deshaun Watson.
Others: Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
1. How will Watson’s surgically repaired shoulder be managed in training camp? Will he appear in and of the three preseason games?
2. Winston’s off-the-field value as a supporter of Watson is evident. But what can he do on the field when called upon?
3. Are Huntley and Thompson-Robinson competing for a roster spot as QB3? Or might both wind up on the practice squad in September?