NFL Rumors: Dallas Cowboys To Release Star Receiver, Financial Implications For Team

The Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to part ways with one of their marquee players. Wide receiver Amari Cooper will likely be released by the start of the new league year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

The 2022 League Year and free agency officially start on March 16. Cooper is due to make $20 million in guaranteed salary if he’s part of Dallas’ roster on March 20.

By cutting Cooper, the Cowboys free up $16 million in salary cap space while also taking on $6 million of dead cap space. Dallas is expected to use part of the money it saves on a contract extension for Michael Gallup, who is headed for free agency.

Part of the plan here, I’m told from a league source, is buttoning up a long term deal for Michael Gallup. #Cowboys felt it was an either/or and are making Gallup the priority. https://t.co/3eUp7ffIRR
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 4, 2022

The #Cowboys will take on $6M of dead cap in releasing WR Amari Cooper, freeing up $16M of much needed cap space.

(Also, this is a request for trade offers). https://t.co/8Tn0YjR1Sb
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 4, 2022

It was only two years ago that the Cowboys signed Cooper to a five-year, $100 million contract. Dallas traded a first-round pick for the receiver during the 2018 season. In 56 games with the Cowboys, Cooper has 292 catches for 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Cooper is coming off his worst season with the Cowboys, during which he caught 68 passes for 865 yards. Second-year receiver CeeDee Lamb became Dak Prescott’s top target, recording 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and eight scores.

Since being drafted fourth overall in 2015, Cooper has made the Pro Bowl four times.

It's possible that the Cowboys could trade Cooper before free agency officially begins. Teams are allowed to start negotiating with the representatives of free agents on March 14.

Dallas has to make decisions regarding a few key free agents. Defensive end Randy Gregory and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch are unsigned for the 2022 season. Tight end Dalton Schultz is also headed for free agency after setting career highs with 78 catches, 808 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Cowboys had the NFL’s No. 1 offense last season. The team came up short in their first playoff game, losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 on Wild-Card Weekend.

Davante Adams and Chris Godwin are the best receivers headed for free agency.