Why an Amari Cooper departure would be bad news for Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly leaning towards releasing wide receiver Amari Cooper before the new league year begins on March 16.
Adam Schefter provided more details Friday morning.
“Cowboys are ‘likely’ to release Amari Cooper by the start of the new league year, per league sources,” Schefter said. “Cooper is due $20 million in fully guaranteed money on the fifth day of the new league year, March 20.”
Currently, the Cowboys are approximately $21.2 million above the cap. Cutting ties with the 27-year-old wideout would save Dallas $16 million.
From a financial perspective this makes sense, but there is another reason behind the decision that is perplexing.
Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson says the idea behind this decision is the fact that the Cowboys want to retain Michael Gallup.
“Part of the plan here, I’m told from a league source, is buttoning up a long-term deal for Michael Gallup,” Robinson said. “Cowboys felt it was an either/or and are making Gallup the priority.”
What makes this even more confusing is the fact that Gallup tore his ACL in week 17, leaving his 2022 season in doubt. Gallup will not command as much money as Cooper, but he may not be a contributor for Dallas for much of next season.
Cowboys need to consider Dak Prescott in Amari Cooper decision
Moving on from Cooper would be detrimental to Dak Prescott’s production. Cooper has been Prescott’s go-to weapon since 2018. During this stretch, the duo has combined for 23 touchdowns.
Since 2018, with Cooper on the field, Prescott is 28-16, the Cowboys average 28.7 points per game, his completion percentage is 67.9, averages 297.4 passing yards per game, and compiles a 102.9 passer rating. Numbers that show why the Cowboys paid Prescott last offseason.
However, without Cooper, Prescott is 3-6, the Cowboys average 20.2 points per game, his completion percentage drops to 63.5, averages 223.1 passing yards per game, and has a 86.1 passer rating.
Simple answer: Prescott needs Cooper on the field with him.
If the Cowboys do indeed end up moving on from Cooper and re-sign Gallup, the receiving corps would consist of Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and a number of unknowns. Cedrick Wilson is a free agent and tight end Dalton Schultz is also set to hit the open market. Dallas would instantly be in the wide receiver market. It would be hard to sign another free agent wideout, so I would expect the Cowboys to address the position through the draft.
The league is revolving around the offensive side of the ball. Teams are doing everything possible to bring in more weapons for their franchise quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are taking away options from their $40 million quarterback. Prescott is a good quarterback, and there can be an argument that he does not deserve to be the third highest paid signal caller in the league, but the Cowboys are doing him no favors if they move on from Cooper.
All-in-all, this move frees up cap space, but the logistics behind the decision do not make much sense.