NFL insider explains Cowboys stance entering pivotal offseason with Amari Cooper

On3 imageby:Griffin McVeigh01/26/22

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Roster turnover is the harsh reality of these NFL these days. Whenever the results do not come to fruition in the playoffs and the cap situation becomes tight, nobody is safe from being moved.

For the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver Amari Cooper may be one of the names of the move. Not because of his performance on the field but due to his large contract situation. Cooper currently has a $22 million cap hit for the 2022 season, something the Cowboys may not be able to afford.

Aaron Wilson of the Pro Football Network explained where Dallas stood with their star wide receiver. He said there is no decision made on Cooper and how much it would cost Dallas to make a move.

“According to league sources not authorized to speak publicly, the Cowboys haven’t made a decision on what they’re going to do, but most expect them to retain Cooper,” Wilson said. “The plan is to continue to evaluate his performance along with the other players on the roster and then make decisions. If the Cowboys move on from Cooper, there would only be $6 million in remaining dead money.”

Cooper arrived in Dallas during the 2018 season at a time when the offense was struggling with quarterback Dak Prescott. General manager Jerry Jones gave the then Oakland Raiders a first-round pick for the wide receiver — being one of the rare times he dips into the trade market.

It’s been well worth it for the Cowboys. Cooper has 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns on 292 catches over three and a half seasons. He’s become the favorite target of Prescott, even as more elite-level wide receivers have joined the roster.

Colin Cowherd provides interesting idea with Amari Cooper

Even though Sean Payton just announced he would be stepping away from football, speculation about his status with the Dallas Cowboys has already begun. The Jones family could soon be looking for a new head coach and Payton would definitely be atop the list.

In order to acquire Payton away from the Saints, there would have to be a trade. Fox radio host Colin Cowherd suggested possibly trading away Cooper in order to acquire the head coach.

“Dallas has a good roster. Now, Sean Peyton has three years left on his contract so the Cowboys would have to trade to get him,” Cowherd began. “But they have a lot of good pieces. By the way, now that Michael Thomas — you don’t know what you’re getting? Amari Cooper. He played at Alabama in the south. You know? Amari Cooper would be a piece you move.”