The Dallas Cowboys have been undergoing a trend of frustration with wide receiver Amari Cooper. Head coach Jason Garrett has said he’s not sure whether the team will bring Cooper back in 2019, which makes it more likely they’ll try to move on and find someone else that can help them win like Odell Beckham Jr. did during his time in Dallas. If Jerry Jones wants another star-caliber player at receiver for 2020, getting rid of Amari should signal the team is willing to trade him for whatever compensation they can get from other teams or release him outright if need be.
Jerry Jones has been frustrated with Amari Cooper since the beginning of the season. The Dallas Cowboys owner is more likely to move on from his star receiver than he is to keep him. Read more in detail here: dallas cowboys owner.
Amari Cooper is undeniably a big-name receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, but it’s possible that Jerry Jones may split ways with him this summer.
The main reason for this scenario is money, but Jones’ recent displeasure with his top receiver makes a breakup much more plausible.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has conveyed his displeasure with Amari Cooper.
“When Amari Cooper runs a route, he should take half the field with him… A large portion of that defense should be required to honor Cooper. When they’re travelling with him, he should be able to catch it in the center. Others have done so. You throw to individuals who are always covered.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 21, 2022
Cooper had a bad season for the Cowboys, there’s no denying it. Keep in mind that he missed two games while undergoing the league’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements for unvaccinated players, and he was hindered for a third game after his return. The missing games had to have played a part in Cooper’s output decline, but it’s worth remembering that at the conclusion of the season, he complained that he wasn’t receiving enough targets. In important games, he wanted to be a bigger part of the attack.
“If I acquire some targets, I believe I can do better in the red zone.” “If I get the targets, I can do more on third down,” he told 105.3 The Fan. “I believe I can make a difference in helping the offense become what it needs to be.”
Cooper has 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He had previously surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in each of the previous two seasons.
If you ask him, a lack of targets seems to be a major factor in his troubles. Jones, though, didn’t appear persuaded in a recent interview with Jon Machota of The Athletic. Indeed, he made it seem as though Cooper wasn’t living up to his billing as a top target on the field.
“When Amari Cooper runs a route, he should bring half the field with him… “A lot of that defense should have to respect Cooper,” Jones added. “If they’re going with him, he should be able to catch it in the center.” Others have done so. You throw to individuals who are always covered.”
Cooper’s contract has an interesting “out” for the Cowboys.
Jerry Jones, left, and Amari Cooper, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys | Scott Cunningham/Getty Images; Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
On the surface, it seems that Jones is merely expressing his displeasure with the Cowboys’ season-ending performance. That’s something he’s been doing a lot recently. Dallas was defeated at home by the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Wild Card Round, disappointing Jones and Cowboys supporters worldwide. On paper, they seemed to be a club capable of making a Super Bowl run. In reality, Dallas once again fell short of expectations.
Yes, Jones is irritated, which is understandable.
However, the undercurrent of his opinions on Cooper adds to the intrigue.
The Cowboys are about to embark on a season of transition. Both coordinators, Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore, are set to leave for head coaching jobs elsewhere. They’re also considering a 21-player unrestricted free agency class, which includes major names like Dalton Schultz, Leighton Vander Esch, and Jayron Kearse.
Jones and the Cowboys will have to juggle their roster to maintain their best players while staying under the salary limit, which is why Cooper’s deal is so fascinating.
Before the 2020 season, the wideout agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal, with $40 million guaranteed upon signing in the form of a signing bonus plus his pay for 2020 and 2021. Cooper will be guaranteed another $20 million if he remains on Dallas’ roster on the fifth day of the 2022 league year, March 20th, as per the contract’s terms. If that’s the case, he’ll cost the Cowboys $22 million in salary cap space in 2022.
Jones and the Cowboys won’t owe Cooper his 2022 salary if they trade or release him before that date, and he’ll only count for $6 million in dead cap money against the 2022 salary limit.
That basically gives Dallas $16 million to work with, which could be a significant amount of money for the Cowboys.
Is it a good idea for the Cowboys to get go of Cooper?
Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott #4 and Amari Cooper #19 watch the game against the Philadelphia Eagles | Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
If the Cowboys opt to cut Cooper this summer, they would save a lot of money, but how practical would it be from a football standpoint?
Despite a poor season, he remains one of the league’s best wide receivers. One would believe that simply having him on the field makes the Cowboys’ offense better. Jones, on the other hand, has made it obvious that he does not believe that, and he is the one who ultimately determines all of Dallas’ choices.
If the Cowboys release Cooper, they must be confidence in CeeDee Lamb’s ability to fill in as a No. 1 receiver. He enjoyed a season deserving of that distinction, with 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns, but if he’s the prime target defenders will have to focus on downfield, his life will become substantially more difficult.
That emphasizes the importance of the receivers behind Lamb, and there are some big questions in that aspect as well.
Cedrick Wilson had a good season, catching 45 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns, but he’s one of the Cowboys’ numerous unrestricted free agents. He’d be wise to take advantage of his achievement in 2021 and convert it into a large paycheck. Would it make sense for Dallas to sign another wideout to a huge contract if they were seeking to eliminate one wideout to save money?
When healthy, Michel Gallup has done an excellent job as Dallas’ No. 3 receiver, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agency in 2022, and he’s coming off an ACL rupture for which he hasn’t even had surgery. Despite the fact that Gallup is a known face and a good player when healthy, signing him to another deal carries a number of risks for Dallas.
Staying the course with Cooper and hoping for a rebound next season is maybe the wisest move. After all, in his eight-year career, he’s surpassed 1,000 receiving yards four times.
When he’s on, he’s a game-changer. Cooper’s dilemma is that it seems Jones does not feel he is making enough of a difference for Dallas… Especially when contrasted to the $16 million in cap savings.
ESPN and Pro Football Reference provided the statistics. Sportrac provides contract information.
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