thaisiambet Kevin Stefanski is confident another Cleveland Browns wide receiver will step up to replace Amari Cooper, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted he was disappointed after losing Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills but believes it opens up opportunities for other players to step up, NFL Network reports.  thaisiambet

‘I think (you’re) disappointed when you lose a player because of injury or something. I wish Amari all the best. I’ve spoken to him before, obviously. We’re excited. It opens up opportunities for other players. Obviously you’re closer to your players and you don’t want to lose anybody for whatever reason. But we understand the business part and we’re excited about the opportunities that are coming up for other players.’ 

Stefanski’s other additions include Jerry Jeudy, who will step up to become the new number one wide receiver, along with Elijah Mohr, former 2023 third-round draft pick Cedric Tillman and fifth-round rookie draft pick Jamarie Trash, while running back Jaylon Darden could also step up if needed.

“I think our players understand that the most important thing here is to win. The most important thing is to compete,” Stefanski added. “The reality is you lose players throughout the season. Sometimes it’s injuries, sometimes it’s trades, whatever it is, and our players want to step up when they’re in that moment.” 

‘I think it’s a bunch of guys, as you know, the amount of targets Amari has, but those targets have to go to other guys, other guys in the wide receivers room, the wide receivers room, the running backs room. We have a lot of confidence in our players.’

The Browns continue to move forward without their top wide receiver after a difficult start to the season, with the wide receivers lacking a good rapport with Deshaun Watson and going 1-5 through their first six games. 

Asked about Cooper’s passing, Watson said: ‘Most importantly, Cooper is my brother. Over the last three years, we’ve gotten to know each other, not just on the pitch, but especially off it, hanging out in the off-season, my family hanging out. He’s helped me through some tough times that I’ve been through and vice versa. ‘

‘It’s really hard to see a brother and a teammate who meant so much to me, not only to myself, but to the locker room, but you’ve got to trust the organization and what (general manager Andrew Barry) and Kevin and those guys up there have planned, and that’s out of my control. But at the same time, we’re definitely going to miss him and we appreciate everything he’s done for this team and this organization on the court.’ ( thaisiambet )