Cowboys Signing Amari In 'Growing Interest' Reunion?

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys had an unsuccessful go at it in in free agency and in the NFL Draft regarding their efforts to land another starting-caliber wide receiver. ...

An "explosive No. 2,'' as COO Stephen Jones has so frankly stated it.

Dallas saw little activity on the open market (but plenty of rumors), and picked zero receivers in the NFL Draft. Journeyman Parris Campbell, 27, was Dallas' lone external free agent receiver signing at the position and will play on his fourth team in the last four years.

Oh, Dallas did sign two receivers to un-drafted free agent deals ... but those won't move any needle (if they even make the team).

So who helps CeeDee Lamb carry the load for the Dak Prescott-led offense?

CowboysCountry.com broke the story of the Cowboys' puzzle-pieces interest in the likes of Pittsburgh's George Pickens, and that sort of swap can still happen.

But right now? Dallas' collection of wideouts - Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks, and Jonathan Mingo among them - does not dazzle.

So Dallas keeps digging. 

George Pickens or Jameson Williams or Michael Pittman or Jalen McMillen or Courtland Sutton in trade? Keenan Allen or Nelson Agholor or Robert Woods in free agency?

Cowboys fans want to think big, but we are urging them to think smart.

One name Cowboys Nation can't stop talking about is Amari Cooper, the former Pro Bowl pass-catcher who spent four mostly-productive seasons in Dallas from 2018-2021.

He was ultimately trade-dumped to the Cleveland Browns before the 2022 season for reasons we called "shrinkage" - which is all about him failing to rise to the occasion like a $20 million player typically would and should. (By the way, that wasn't our evalation; we broke that story of Dallas falling out of love with Cooper due to the scouting department's unhappiness with him.)

Could a Cooper reunion be in store for the Cowboys? They are as desperate as any for receiver help. It may not be super smart, but maybe there's no other choice?

Ironically, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is using the phrase "growing interest'' on the part of the Cowboys.

"Growing'' and "shrinkage'' all happening at the same time! 

USA Today thinks it's a fine idea.

"Sure, Cooper has played for the Cowboys in the past, but a return to Dallas makes a ton of sense for both sides," Cory Woodruff wrote. "The team needs depth at receiver, and Cooper could use a rebound season after a quiet 2024."

We don't think he understands what's happening here.

At $18.9 million a year (Cooper's calculated market value on Spotrac)?

We don't think they understand what's happening here.

At a budget rate, in a desperate time? This is a "Never Say Never'' league, so Dallas could take a bite.

But we say Cooper, the five-time Pro Bowler about to turn 31, would likely become an unhappy camper making minimum wage.

And the Cowboys coaching staff would surely become unhappy, too, when Amari chose to sit out practices when things aren't going exactly right, injury-wise and otherwise, as he is prone to do.

The Cowboys gave up on him. Browns gave up on him. Cooper was dealt to the Buffalo Bills last season and was practically nonexistent in Buffalo's end-of-season run. The Bills gave up on him.

Dallas isn't the only team that needs a receiver; why is the 12-year vet still a free agent?

For Dallas fans excited who are excited about the possibility? We understand the reason for "growing interest.'' But we lean toward an acknowledgment at least of "shrinkage" concerns here.

The Dallas Cowboys know. But maybe there are too needy to care.