The Cowboys are on the verge of the unthinkable: Reducing Amari Cooper. All indicators are pointing to Dallas transferring on, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter anticipating the discharge to come back earlier than the beginning of the league’s new 12 months, as Cooper is due $20M shortly after.
Releasing Cooper shall be an amazing instance of cap mismanagement. The Cowboys discover themselves $21M over the projected wage cap for 2022, with Cooper’s $22M cap hit basically getting them underneath that quantity. The issue is way deeper than only one receiver, with Dallas committing $52.9M to a few offensive linemen (Zack Martin, Tyron Smith and La’el Collins) with one other $27M going to defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence.
The cherry on prime is Ezekiel Elliott, who’s an $18.22M cap hit for the upcoming season. We’ve mentioned the risks of over-paying operating backs, and the direct hyperlink between high-paid rushers and workforce failure, and now the Cowboys are mired in it.
In consequence we’ve an elite receiver who will now enter the free agent market. Cooper shall be 28 when the 2022 season begins, nonetheless has lots left within the tank, and the four-time Professional Bowler shall be a scorching commodity when free company opens. So, who might (and may) look to signal Cooper if we work underneath the idea he shall be a free agent.
No. 1: Inexperienced Bay Packers
That is the clearest, most blatant reply from a soccer perspective — nevertheless it feels extraordinarily unlikely due to the enterprise concerned.
If we assume Aaron Rodgers returns in 2022 (which isn’t a given at this level), then the window is within the strategy of slamming shut. Realistically the Packers have one, perhaps two extra years to really convey a Lombardi Trophy again to Inexperienced Bay, and receiver has been a long-neglected place.
The precedence is clearly to re-sign Davante Adams, who is ready to change into an unrestricted free agent. If that may occur, with Rodgers and a number of other extra veterans restructuring their contracts (a course of already underway) then including Cooper to the combination could possibly be sufficient to get the Packers over the hump.
There’s loads of work to be finished with the financials, nevertheless it’s potential — albeit unlikely.
No. 2: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
I’m focusing totally on contenders right here, as a result of that’s the place it makes essentially the most sense for each side. There’s little doubt Kansas Metropolis wants defensive assist greater than offensive weapons, nevertheless it’s an enchanting risk.
Because it stands the Chiefs don’t have any scarcity of weapons between Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman — however of the three you don’t actually have a real big-bodied huge receiver. Signing Cooper, whereas reforming the protection by the draft, might consequence within the offensive leap wanted to get again to the Tremendous Bowl.
It could be a signing that will unquestionably be a luxurious, however with some cap area to play with the Chiefs might do a complete lot worse. It additionally permits for a failsafe in case considered one of their present weapons is injured, or begins to regress.
No. 3: Baltimore Ravens
Any time there’s point out of a WR being out there, the Ravens are going to be within the dialog. There’s promise on the place with Rashod Bateman nonetheless creating and seeking to return from damage, however bridging that hole could possibly be an ideal position for Amari Cooper.
It was a disappointing 12 months for the Ravens that began with a lot promise, going 5-2 previous to the bye week. Then Baltimore collapsed, discovering themselves in final place within the brutal AFC North.
Cooper would take stress off Marquise Brown to be the workforce’s solo deep-threat receiver (once more, with the caveat Bateman will return), and will assist catapult the Baltimore offense into the twenty first century. For this to work it could require Cooper believing within the course of the workforce to return to profitable kind, however there’s little doubt this could possibly be one other good match.
No. 4: Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s assume for a second that Amari Cooper isn’t that involved with profitable and he’d quite get PAID. There’s nothing incorrect with that, and Cooper ought to safe the bag whereas ready — and no person is ready to present a bigger bag.
It is a workforce in dire want of getting Trevor Lawrence some assist so he can progress with out dropping confidence. His No. 1 goal in 2021 was 31-year-old Marvin Jones, and that’s not an excellent place to be in.
If we assume the Jags will handle Lawrence’s safety with the primary decide of the 2022 NFL Draft (and they need to) then the subsequent precedence is getting receiving weapons. Jacksonville’s $56M free company conflict chest could possibly be used to signal a number of receivers, of whom Cooper can be a prime precedence.
There isn’t a extra time for a gradual, smart rebuild. Followers are fed up, and this must get transferring in the appropriate course now. Signing Cooper would get them transferring, and perhaps even create some (measured) pleasure.
