Dallas Cowboys apparently had a parting message for Amari Cooper beyond just “Hit the road, Jack.”
Zach Wolchuk and Eric Chiofalo of 105.3 The Fan reported this week that the Cowboys told Cooper that he did not fit within their offense before trading the four-time Pro Bowler to the Cleveland Browns.
Cooper, 27, struggled last season, his fourth with the Cowboys. He managed just 68 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Cooper was overshadowed by the continued rise of fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb and the emergence of tight end Dalton Schultz as a legitimate threat in the passing game. The former first-round pick Cooper seemed like an odd man out all year, and even owner Jerry Jones was very frustrated with him.
Granted, Cooper was not entirely to blame. Quarterback Dak Prescott had an up-and-down year, his first since a season-ending ankle injury in 2020. Cooper, whose health has long been a concern, was also pretty durable for Dallas, missing just two games over the last three seasons.
The Browns clearly believe that Cooper can fit into their offense after giving up two draft picks this year to get him. As for the Cowboys, it appears that they chose this other wide receiver for the long-term instead of Cooper.
Photo: Jul 29, 2019; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper (19) during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
