It’s a dizzying time for Cowboys fans, as players are coming and going faster than even the most hardcore followers can refresh their news feeds. Wednesday was a busy day, with the signings of three current players and the release of two others from the practice squad.
A major item on the Cowboys’ offseason to-do list got checked as wide receiver Amari Cooper officially inked his lucrative new contract with the club. After a career-best season (in yardage and touchdowns), Cooper’s deal ranks him at the top of the WR heap in terms of pay.
Amari Cooper's new bag is more than some of the leagues best combined 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GuMN3j6yjD
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 18, 2020
Safety Darian Thompson also signed his new deal, a two-year pact worth $2.8 million. Thompson has been with the organization for two seasons after two years as a New York Giant.
Additionally on Wednesday, backup quarterback Cooper Rush took another step in cementing his spot with the club. Rush’s role could change in a hurry if start Dak Prescott ends up holding out as he and the front office continue to navigate his new franchise tag designation.
Backup QB Cooper Rush has agreed to sign his restricted free agent tender worth $2.1 million with the Cowboys
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 18, 2020
But in addition to the marquee names securing new deals, this time of year also sees the often-unceremonious exit of lesser-known roster-fillers who never quite caught on.
With the official start of @NFL free agency today, the @dallascowboys re-signed WR Amari Cooper (Alabama) and S Darian Thompson (Boise State) on Wednesday. The club also waived CB Donovan Olumba (Portland State) and DE Daniel Wise (Kansas).
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) March 18, 2020
Such is the case with cornerback Donovan Olumba and defensive end Daniel Wise. Both were released by the team on Wednesday.
Olumba was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2018 draft. Thought to fit the mold of a Kris Richard defensive back, he ended up spending most of his time with the club on the practice squad, only ever seeing the field during last season’s regular season finale versus Washington. He logged no official stats.
Wise also joined the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 draft. He spent the season on the practice squad and had been signed to a futures/reserves contract after the year ended.