The Cowboys face the possibility of losing a number of their big-name players on both sides of the ball. The most notable of those – not just in terms of pedigree, but also how much his contract will affect the rest of the team’s offseason plans – is Amari Cooper. Recent comments from executive vice president Stephen Jones won’t be confused with a ringing endorsement of the wideout.
As ESPN’s Todd Archer writes, Jones was non-committal when asked if Cooper would remain with the Cowboys through next season. “It’s too early for me to address that yet… we’re continuing to have conversations”, he said. Questions surrounding the 28-year-old have increased recently, due to structure of his contract. There is no more guaranteed money left on Cooper’s deal, creating the possibility the team could get out of a $22MM cap hit in each of the next three years, while incurring relatively little dead money.
The former fourth overall pick had his least productive full season in Dallas last year. While his numbers (68 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games) were still noteworthy, they fell short of expectations given his Pro Bowl pedigree, along with his contract. Moving on from Cooper could lead to a substantial overhaul of the Cowboys’ receiving corps, as Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson are each pending free agents, leaving CeeDee Lamb as essentially the only sure thing at the position.
Here are some other Dallas notes, including more remarks from Jones:
- In contrast to Cooper, Jones spoke with more certainty about Ezekiel Elliott, saying “He’s going to be here, no question. We’re fortunate to have him”. With his money being guaranteed, that confirmation shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, Archer notes, but it is still notable given the fact Elliott played through a knee injury all season. Despite being banged up, he produced 1,289 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns in 2021.
- On a more general note, Jones suggested the Cowboys won’t treat this offseason as an ‘all-in’ year while sacrificing future cap flexibility. “We could do some things that would allow us to keep most of our guys if we wanted to push it all out, but then we’d have a much bigger problem next year and the year after”, he said (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). The Cowboys are currently projected to be over the cap, with several big-ticket free agents (including Randy Gregory and Dalton Schultz) still to be re-signed.
- Lastly, head coach Mike McCarthy announced at the Combine that Dak Prescott had surgery on his left (i.e. non-throwing) shoulder at the beginning of the offseason, Field Yates of ESPN tweets. McCarthy has “no concern” about Prescott’s availability for offseason workouts, an encouraging sign given his injury history in Dallas.
Darn shame that the Cowboys haven’t won anything meaningful in decades.
A darn shame.
Yeah that’s relevant to the article…..
Still doesn’t change the fact that they haven’t won anything meaningful in decades and whether it’s a shame or not.
Cut Cooper, let Schultz walk, restructure Lawrence, resign Gregory (hopefully at a steep discount), get secondary, WR, and TE help in the draft. I think it would be worth it to resign Gallup if the numbers work out. Might get a discount because of his injury, and he’s a stud when healthy, but he might get better offers elsewhere.
What the heck has happened to Zeke Elliott?? Oh wait I know…. Mike McCarthy! He’s never favored the RB position even in his days in GB it’s unfortunate because he’s a heck of a talent
McCarthy has many flaws, but not over featuring Zeke isn’t one of them. Not his fault they over-drafted and overpaid a running back.
To start off they never should’ve given Zeke that big of a contract in the first place. Secondly, he was playing injured last year, so why would they want to run him into the ground and exacerbate the injury when they have a more than capable 2nd string back. Lastly, I’m pretty sure it is Moore calling plays while McCarthy has taken on the headset cheerleader role vacated by Garrett.
To be quite real…..a very small number of RB’s have continued to be elite after rushing more than 300 times in any season since 2000. There are no more Payton/Emmit/Dickinson/Sanders type RB’s anymore. If I were Jones I would see if there was a trade partner and work something out….
Donde esta en la bibliotheca Pedro
Exactly as Gabe said above.
Cut Cooper and restructure Lawrence.
I’d probably keep Shultz. TEs are cheap in comparison to WRers, yet Shultz last season put up 800+ yards and 8TDs which is basically what Cooper gave them. Plus he’s a good blocker too.
I’d don’t think Gallup comes back either. He’s going to get a really overpaid deal elsewhere. Make Lamb your clear number 1 option and get a cheap veteran to come in and be the number 2. Get a AJ Green, Emmanuel Sanders or TY Hilton on a 2 year 10mil deal. Plus in the draft I’d be grabbing 2 receivers. Then your receiving room has 1 young star, 1 vet to help teach the young guys and still be productive and some young fresh legs. You’d still have Schultz giving you yards and hopefully Jarwin can stay fit and give you some yards too.
For the defence, I’d bring in Marcus Maye on a cheap prove it deal with him coming back from injury. Maybe 1 year 6.5mil. Id love to see another splash on this side of the field with maybe a Jedaveon Clowney or Stephon Gilmore but doubt it happens.
Schultz is a good blocker? Yeah, no. Keep Cooper and let Schultz walk and then you’re not trying to catch lightning in a bottle from some over the hill veteran. Save your premium draft choices for OG and the defense.
Nah, Cooper cost twice as much as Schultz yet Schultz last season gave you the exact same production and can block a little.
As for you over the hill veteran.
AJ put up just as many yards as Cooper on less receptions on a new team.
Sanders has had two solid seasons back to back as a number 2 receiver on new teams each season.
Keeping Schultz and getting either Green or sanders would cost just as much as Cooper and you’d be getting way more production, unleashing Lamb as the number 1 option and also brining in fresh legs to learn off a solid vet and build chemistry with Lamb.
Apparently a hot take that the Cowboys should try to not lose four of their top six targets this offseason.
Elliott is done…..