After three and a half seasons in Dallas, Amari Cooper’s time there appears to be coming to an end. Within that time he was one of the best receivers in the league. With a stat line of 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns in that time frame, he earned himself a hefty payday. In fact, this contract would make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL in terms of the contract value.
Despite his success and impact in the last several seasons, Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys are likely to release the star wideout. With several large contracts on the books, Cooper’s proved to be too large. Luckily for Dallas, upcoming free agent, Michael Gallup appears close to a contract extension to keep him home.
However, what if Dallas was able to trade Cooper? One of the NFL’s best wide receivers, many teams would be excited about the chance to acquire him. Of course, the price tag complicates matters as only a few teams can afford his massive contract. For the teams that can, he could pay massive dividends.
Heading back home?
One of the teams with plenty of cap space for Cooper would be the Jacksonville Jaguars. With second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the centerpiece of their team, they need to add weapons. The chance to add a proven number one wideout doesn’t present itself often. As such, they would likely be willing to take the chance. Especially when they have the third-most cap space in the NFL.
This would also be somewhat of a return home for Cooper who is a native of Miami, Florida. While he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, we have seen players force themselves out of trades in the past. Cooper is not likely to do this with the Jaguars.
Is it worth it?
If the two options for the Cowboys are a trade or outright releasing him, the trade obviously makes much more sense. When Dallas traded for Cooper back in 2018, it cost them a first-round pick. At that time, however, he was still on his rookie contract. Now getting paid twenty million per year, he is likely to fetch a day two pick especially since he will be released otherwise.
With Amari Cooper just 27 years old and two years removed from his massive contract extension, it is shocking that the Cowboys are looking to move on. After a cascade of questionable roster decisions, however, it is necessary. Rather than release him and lose him for nothing, a trade makes the most sense. One of the first calls they make should be with the Jaguars.
