Amari Cooper’s first career pass attempt was one to forget.
The Browns called the receiver’s number as part of a double-reverse trick play in Week 8 against the Bengals. After getting the ball from Nick Chubb, he was supposed to look down the field and pass the ball to catch Cincinnati’s defense off-guard.
But the Bengals were ready for the trick play. They got pressure on Cooper, and appeared to have the play covered.
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Still, Cooper decided to throw the ball. It was wildly underthrown and easily intercepted by Vonn Bell.
Doesn’t get much easier for @Vonn. #RuleTheJungle
📺: #CINvsCLE on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pvWWiaNKbW pic.twitter.com/M9gclmzfeu— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2022
Naturally, this gaffe by Cooper attracted the attention of NFL fans and media everywhere. That included Peyton Manning, who was watching the game on the Manningcast along with his brother, Eli, and former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason.
“Great idea for a trick play until the receiver throws it right to a Cover 2 corner,” Manning said. “I don’t think receivers work on going through their progressions often. Clearly, the first read was not open. Throw it away. Wow. Stick to playing receiver, Amari.”
Three QBs on the Manningcast and Amari Cooper is not one of them 😬 pic.twitter.com/qfDGeH5Xpf
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 1, 2022
Cooper agreed with Manning’s assessment and was critical of his throw after the Browns’ 32-13 win over the Bengals.
“It was an abomination,” he said, per The Athletic.
The NFL world was in lockstep with Cooper and ridiculed the throw plenty during the “Monday Night Football” game.
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The veteran receiver was the butt of many jokes on Twitter as viewers wondered why he elected to pass the ball given the situation he was facing. From jokes about Baker Mayfield to ones about Zach Wilson, here are the best of the bunch:
Amari Cooper throwing that pick pic.twitter.com/rolL60PeH8
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) November 1, 2022
Amari Cooper has been watching too much Zach Wilson
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 1, 2022
Amari Cooper is just like Tom Brady: He cannot throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.
— Matthew Freedman (@MattFtheOracle) November 1, 2022
Browns fans watching Amari Cooper throw an INT to the Bengals:pic.twitter.com/U9p5qoqK0K
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) November 1, 2022
Amari Cooper is no Christian McCaffrey 😅
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/CqxoU6H2cr
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) November 1, 2022
Amari Cooper’s halloween mask pic.twitter.com/SMPstTmH6q
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) November 1, 2022
Amari Cooper just threw an interception.
Yes. You read that correctly.
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) November 1, 2022
Wow Amari Cooper dressed up as Baker Mayfield for Halloween
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) November 1, 2022
They have to put Amari Cooper on that sad Browns QB jersey. Damn.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) November 1, 2022
Cooper helped to make up for his mistake by catching five passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Still, the throw will likely be the most memorable play from his outing.
