Report: Cowboys ‘likely’ to release star player

The Dallas Cowboys have to find ways to free up salary cap space this offseason, and it sounds like they will part with at least one of their star players in order to do that.

The Cowboys are expected to release Amari Cooper prior to the start of the new league year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Cooper is due $20 million in guaranteed money on March 20, so Dallas will likely cut him before then.

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

Cooper carries a salary cap hit of $22 million in 2022. The Cowboys will have to absorb a $6 million cap hit if they release him, but they will still free up a significant amount of money.

The Cowboys have been hinting at moving on from Cooper since the end of the season. Vice president Stephen Jones indicated recently that Cooper would have to take a pay cut to remain in Dallas. Owner Jerry Jones was even more candid with his remarks about Cooper after the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs.

Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the Cowboys prior to the 2020 season. He had over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first full seasons with Dallas in 2019 and 2020. His numbers were down this past season, as he finished with 68 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.

Dallas probably tried to trade Cooper, but no one wants to take on the inflated contract. The Cowboys seem to be focusing on bringing back another key member of their offense.

Cooper will turn 28 this offseason and has been relatively healthy throughout his career. He should have no problem finding a new team.

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