The Dallas Cowboys traded a first-round pick for wide receiver Amari Cooper midway through the 2018 NFL season. He gave the team the kind of threat that turned quarterback Dak Prescott’s season, and by extension, career around.
If this is a familiar refrain, turn back now. The Dallas front office failed to act with any urgency in getting a deal done and now Cooper is able to talk shop with any team in the league that he wants to. After placing the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, a new contract is the only way to keep Prescott’s favorite target around. The team will continue to work on something, but as of noon eastern Monday, Cooper is free to talk with everyone.
The #Cowboys won’t have a deal for WR Amari Cooper by the time the tampering window opens, but they’ve had talks and obviously want to bring him back. Those talks will continue.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
He’s had most of the leverage since the Cowboys gave up a premium draft pick. After all, what team gives up that much without attempting to lock the player down in short order? Now he has all of the leverage. When the legal tampering period begins, Dallas could find themselves down their No. 1 wide receiver.
Cooper will be 26 when the 2020 season kicks off. He set a career high in both yards and touchdowns last year all while battling a litany of injuries to his lower body.
Check out our 2020 Offseason Manifesto, where we ponder what it would take to bring Cooper back into the fold, and what Dallas should do if they cannot.
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