Ron Rivera: Redskins chased Amari Cooper in free agency ‘very hard’
Amari Cooper ended up staying with the Dallas Cowboys despite a push from the Washington Redskins in free agency. And according to new Redskins head coach Ron Rivera, the push Washington made for Cooper was significant.
Rivera spoke with reporters on a conference call Tuesday and talked about the team’s pursuit of the wide receiver.
“Amari was someone that we chased very hard all the way up to the very end,” Rivera said. “He decided to return to Dallas. We were in it and we were talking about the substantial money. But at the end of the day, he made a decision he felt was best for him and we respect it.”
Cooper got a 5-year, $100 million deal from Dallas, so the money he got was more than substantial.
Washington would have gotten a true No. 1 receiver if they landed Cooper, and they would have been able to pair him with Terry McLaurin, who emerged as a rookie last season. And the best part is they would have taken a major weapon away from a division rival.
In 25 games with the Cowboys, Cooper has had 132 catches for 1,914 yards and 14 touchdowns. Those stats would impress just about anyone except for this guy.
