Advertisement
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a familiar, and frustrating, position this offseason: in desperate need of a legit wide receiver to line up opposite CeeDee Lamb, and yet, no major moves have been made to solve the problem.
While the team’s front office has been surprisingly quiet in free agency, there’s now buzz around a potential homecoming that’s turning heads in Cowboys Nation. According to Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Nick Harris, Dallas is showing “building interest” in bringing back former Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper.
Yep, the same Amari Cooper they once spent a first-round pick to acquire back in 2018… only to trade away four years later for a measly fifth- and sixth-rounder.
Cooper was a key piece in revitalizing the Cowboys’ passing game when he arrived midseason in 2018. He quickly built chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott and gave the offense a dangerous new dimension. During his time in Dallas, Cooper racked up 3,893 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, proving himself as a reliable and often dominant No. 1 option.
He was that guy, until he wasn’t.
In 2022, Dallas shocked many fans by shipping Cooper off to the Cleveland Browns, citing salary cap concerns and a desire to “spread the ball around” more. But that gamble didn’t exactly pay off. Since then, the Cowboys have leaned heavily on CeeDee Lamb, who has been phenomenal, but the rest of the receiving corps has lacked consistency, separation, and the ability to punish defences who double Lamb.
Now, Cooper is back on the market after being briefly traded to the Buffalo Bills, who released him ahead of the 2025 season. And with the Cowboys poking around the veteran receiver market, where names like Keenan Allen, Robert Woods, and Nelson Agholor remain unsigned, it’s no surprise that Cooper’s name would come up again.
But here’s the catch: while the Cowboys may want Cooper back, it’s far from certain he wants them.
As Harris puts it, “Team interest is one thing, but the appeal will have to be reciprocated by Cooper if the two sides do, in fact, connect over a second stint with the Cowboys.” In other words, it takes two to tango—and Cooper might not be feeling the music just yet.
Let’s not forget, this is a guy who made five Pro Bowls, including one as recently as 2023. He’s still producing at a high level, and he’ll have no shortage of suitors. According to contract analytics site Spotrac, Cooper’s projected market value is around $37 million over two years, which isn’t exactly a discount.
So, is this reunion actually realistic?
That depends on two key factors: money and mended fences. The Cowboys would need to pony up real cash to land him, which they’ve been hesitant to do for external free agents. And they’d need to sell Cooper on the idea that things will be different this time, that they actually have a plan for success and stability on offense.
The question isn’t whether Cooper can still ball, he absolutely can. The real question is: can the Cowboys finally make the kind of bold, smart, veteran move that has eluded them in recent offseasons? And is Cooper willing to overlook the past for one more run under the bright lights in Big D?
With the 2025 season inching closer and Dallas’ receiver room still looking dangerously thin beyond Lamb, the clock is ticking.