As the NFL free agency period approaches, speculation is swirling about potential landing spots for top available players.
Among the more surprising suggestions? A reunion between the Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cowboys rumored to rekindle Amari Cooper romance
According to Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team, Dallas is “the best spot” for Cooper this offseason.
His reasoning? Cooper and quarterback Dak Prescott shared a productive four-year stretch, during which the receiver averaged just under 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns per season. Valentino also points to the potential of pairing Cooper with current Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb, calling the idea “enticing and affordable.”
However, a closer look at the situation suggests this reunion may be more wishful thinking than a realistic possibility.
Cooper was traded away from Dallas to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, reportedly due to concerns about his consistency, particularly in road games.
While he showed flashes of his former Pro Bowl form, his recent stint with the Buffalo Bills failed to deliver the impact they had hoped for.
In 2024, he posted just 547 receiving yards and four touchdowns across the regular season, and his playoff production was even more concerning: six catches for 41 yards over three games.
At 30 years old, turning 31 before the start of the 2025 season, questions about whether Cooper is losing a step are valid.
If the Bills decide to part ways with him, it would signal that his value is not what it once was.
Valentino’s claim that Cooper would be an “affordable” addition to the Cowboys also raises eyebrows.
According to Spotrac, Cooper’s market value is estimated at $14.2 million per year.
While that figure is lower than his previous $20 million-per-year contract with Dallas, it still places him among the top receivers in free agency.
Unless Cooper is willing to take a significant pay cut, it’s difficult to see the Cowboys prioritizing a player they previously deemed expendable.
While there may be players in the Cowboys’ locker room who would welcome Cooper back, the decision ultimately lies with the front office.
The concerns that led to his initial departure, his playing inconsistencies, practice habits, and contract demands, haven’t disappeared.
The idea of bringing Cooper back to Dallas may spark intrigue, but when considering all the factors, a reunion seems unlikely.
The Cowboys have other priorities this offseason, and despite the speculation, Cooper’s next chapter may not include a return to The Star.
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