In a surprising move that’s shaken up the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills have officially traded for star receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns. This deal, announced on Tuesday, comes just hours after their division rivals, the New York Jets, made a big splash by acquiring Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. With this addition, the Bills are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the conference.

The terms of the trade indicate that Cleveland will receive a third-round pick in the 2025 draft and a seventh-round pick in 2026, while Buffalo will send a sixth-round pick in 2025 to the Browns. Cooper, 30, had recently renegotiated his contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2024 season, but being part of one of the worst teams in the NFL prevented him from shining as expected. This season, the Browns started with a dismal record of 1-5, prompting Cooper to seek a move to a more competitive team.

Cooper’s arrival gives quarterback Josh Allen a top-tier number one receiver, which is especially crucial after the departures of key figures like Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, who left via trade and free agency, respectively. This season, Allen has had to rely on veterans like Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel, as well as rookie Keon Coleman, while second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid has also been heavily involved in the passing game. Cooper, who racked up 1,250 yards in 2023, achieving a personal best, has proven to be a key player on offense.

Cooper began his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, who drafted him fourth overall in 2015. Throughout his career, he has been a reliable target for quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, with whom he spent three and a half seasons on the Cowboys. Cooper's experience and talent not only bolster the Bills' receiving corps but also raise expectations for a team looking to outpace the competition in the AFC and chase Super Bowl glory. With his arrival, Buffalo aims to solidify its place among the league's elite and provide Allen with an explosive option in the passing game.