Again, he’s 27, owed no guaranteed money and we’re not in bad shape at all next year. Dallas telegraphing they were getting rid of him one way or another stripped all leverage which is what i’m saying they shouldn’t have done lol.
the down year is a valid point but 800+ yards and 8 tds in a spread out offense and where the qb had such a wild variance of performance can be … contextualized, especially with his previous seasons to also go off.
i’ll just ask you this and be done with it. would you take Coop back for a 5th
So rather than 'telegraphing' his availability the only other option is to wait for a team to approach us....now which team is going to approach us when he's on no guaranteed money (until 16th March) and coming off a mediocre season and that EVERY other team can see we're in CAP difficulty.....why wouldnt those teams just wait until the 16th when we had to make a decision.
So what they did was to publicise that Coop was available, hoping that two teams would create an auction. As ive said Cleveland were aware that Coop wouldnt probably sign with them as a FA, unfortunately there wasnt another team willing to push up the compensation.
The CAP situation has improved, but still difficult next year (over by $1m and as you werent aware, we'd only save $4.8m on cutting Zeke)....if we signed Coop to the same contract that Cleveland did, we'd be paying him $23.7m or a minimum of $15m if cut.
I will answer your question: At the time, and taking account that we needed CAP space money to sign Gregory (you're wrong again on La'el situation, that money doesnt come off the books until June), then yes it was an understandable decision.
If you look at it now, with the benefit of hindsight (Gregory not signing), then we could of kept Coop, but the problem would be that in 2023 he'd be earning more guaranteed money.
As I keep saying, we've made a tough decision that's corrected the CAP, for the sake of a good player, who for whatever reason isnt worth the contract he's paid as the scheme that suits Dak and KM is more attuned to spreading the receptions......and in 2021 we did finish 2nd in Passing Yards.