The Cleveland Browns hope to settle their contract stalemate with Amari Cooper before training camp begins.

The Browns No. 1 wide receiver missed all of OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He was fined $101,716 for skipping minicamp but sent a clear message to Cleveland’s front office that he’d like a new deal.

The Browns do not want Cooper missing any more time and have been in negotiations with the 30-year-old receiver, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“The Browns hope to reach a contract agreement with Cooper before the start of camp next week so he doesn’t have to miss a beat,” Cabot reported on July 20. “The two sides have been in contact, and are trying to strike a deal Cooper feels good about heading into his third season here. He’s set to make $20 million this season in the final year of his contract, and wants to be closer to his elite peers, who are now making anywhere from about $24 million a year to $35 million, with four of them north of $30 million.”

Cooper has a lot of leverage in negotiations coming off a Pro Bowl season. He caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also the unquestioned No. 1 in Cleveland. The Browns want to keep him happy and ready to roll for a season full of expectations for Cleveland.

Deshaun Watson Has Backed Amari Cooper Amid Holdout

Deshaun Watson will be a significant beneficiary of Cooper’s presence. The Browns quarterback is rebounding from shoulder surgery and needs to have his top weapon on the field.

Watson has made it a point to back Cooper amid his holdout at multiple points this offseason.

“He’s the best in the game, and I believe that,” Watson told reporters in June. “He shows it each and every year. He showed it the last two years with different quarterbacks. So, I think you got to put him up there, if not the best.”

Watson said more recently that he doesn’t believe Cooper has missed a beat despite his holdout.

“The connection’s been awesome,” Watson said, via Cleveland.com. “Me and Amari, even with the other guys, it’s not like he’s missed a beat. Amari’s always been there. We know what he can do. He’s shown that. He’s shown that over the offseason. The brotherhood, the love, the communication — none of that stuff has missed a beat at all.”

The Browns need a big year out of Watson. Cleveland gave up a trio of first-round picks to land him via a 2022 trade and also handed him a $230 million fully guaranteed contract. So far, Watson has played in 12 games with mixed results. He’s passed for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

There are questions about his health ahead of camp, which kicks off on July 23. But during his recovery, Watson has taken advantage of his time away from football.