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By Noah Camras
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Buffalo Bills acquired five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
Read more: Bills Acquire WR Amari Cooper in Shocking Blockbuster Trade With Browns
A few hours after the trade was announced and finalized, Cooper took to Instagram to make a cryptic post.
Read More on NFL
Cooper posted a black screen with the caption: "Move or rust."
The Browns have struggled mightily this year with quarterback Deshaun Watson under center. Cooper has been targeted 53 times this year but has just 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
According to Next Gen Stats, Cooper leads the NFL with 473 air yards on incomplete targets this season. He's accounted for the fifth-highest share of team air yards in Weeks 1-6 at 46.9 percent. It's clear Watson was struggling to get him the ball in open space.
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Cooper needed a change of scenery, and that came on Tuesday with his trade to the Bills. Cooper now goes from one of the AFC's worst to one of the AFC's best and gets to team up with quarterback Josh Allen, one of the leading candidates for NFL MVP this season.
More news: Fantasy Football Impact of Amari Cooper Trade for Bills and Browns
Cooper expressed his excitement regarding the move to The Athletic's Josina Anderson.
"(General manager) Andrew Berry called me and told me what was going on. As far as playing with Josh (Allen) I've always been fan of his game. I'm sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him, I'm sure it's going to be great," Cooper said.
"I've been in this situation before, so that helps. I'm just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute."
Cooper spent two and a half seasons with the Browns. He joined the Browns ahead of the 2022 season in a trade from the Dallas Cowboys. Across his 38 games in Cleveland, he had 174 receptions for 2,660 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Cooper was initially drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2015 by the then-Oakland Raiders. He spent three and a half seasons with the Raiders, reeling in 225 receptions for 3,183 yards and 19 touchdowns before being traded to the Cowboys. In Dallas, Cooper had 292 receptions for 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Cooper will look to get back on track in Buffalo this season. A strong second half of the season could put him in line for a sixth Pro Bowl appearance.
More news: Bills Release Veteran WR After Amari Cooper Trade
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