Report: Cowboys “likely” to release star WR, should the Eagles be first in line to sign him?

In a bit of a bombshell report, the Dallas Cowboys appear to be moving on from their star wide receiver.

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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are “likely” to release WR Amari Cooper before the new league year starts on March 20th:

Cowboys are “likely” to release WR Amari Copper by the start of the new league year, per league sources.

Cooper is due $20 million in fully guaranteed money on the fifth day of the new league year, March 20.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2022

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Arguably the most productive player for the Cowboys over the last four years, Cooper signed a 5-year, $100M deal with Dallas in 2020. With Dallas currently in salary cap purgatory, they have to start making decisions for the future.

The team drafted CeeDee Lamb a month after signing Cooper, and with his emergence, Amari Cooper became expendable — especially for the money he’s commanding. This move could also indicate that Dallas is looking to sign Michael Gallup or Cedrick Wilson to long-term deals.

So now Cooper gets added to a free agent pool that includes other high-profile receivers such as Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, and others.

It’s no secret that the Eagles need another dynamic threat on the outside to pair with DeVonta Smith. Should they look to Cooper?

This route from Amari Cooper is filthy. pic.twitter.com/wJ45995MxP

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 22, 2018

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There’s a lengthy list of former Cowboys who’ve gone to Philadelphia and failed to sustain much success: DeMarco Murray, Steve Smith, Miles Austin, and most recently, Orlando Scandrick. Cooper, who turns 28 in June, could be the exception.

While he did take a step back in production last season, the 4-time Pro Bowler is still one of the top route-runners in the game. He has four seasons with 1000+ yards, and during the time that he, Gallup and Lamb all played together, Cooper statistically has been the best of the group.

The route 👌
The catch 👟👟

Amari Cooper snags the TD for Dallas.

📺: #DALvsBAL on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO pic.twitter.com/GNz9XnqO8L

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 9, 2020

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The numbers declined a bit in 2021, only catching 68 passes for 865 yards. Cooper still had eight touchdowns, but he was held under 100 yards in eight straight games to end the season.

The performance just didn’t warrant his $20M/year contract when they still have to bring back integral pieces like Randy Gregory and Dalton Schultz.

Cooper will undoubtedly have a long list of suitors and he may very well stay in the NFC East if the money (and attitude) is right.

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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images