What is the real reason for trading Amari Cooper?

[cnuball21]

The Cowboys clearly screwed up and now realize it. They’re now taking steps to correct that mistake.

Pretty much…

 

[bonafidebanter]

I don't know, but I think he fell out of favor with the FO. He may have gotten on their last nerves or they just didn't like him anymore. I don't know how or why you would cut someone for no reason with that large of a cap hit. Knowing it would do nothing but hurt your offense and team.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Amari Cooper is clearly a talented NFL wide receiver. He has size, speed, and superior route running ability. So why have both the Raiders and the Cowboys cut ties with him after 3-1/2 seasons in each location?

The missed trade for Brandon Cooks, and the potential signing of Odell Beckham, Jr. means that it wasn’t money that drove the decision to part with Cooper. Both players will command salaries similar to Cooper.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Amari has always been the consummate professional in how he handles himself with fans and the media. So it is a bit baffling that he has only had a shelf life of about 42 months in each location prior to being traded a second time to the Browns for only a 5th round pick.

The reality is that although offensive production is down in Dallas this year, we don’t know how much of that to attribute to the loss of Cooper. The injury to Dak, and the renewed commitment to running the football have also contributed to the lower overall production through the first 8 games.

Frankly, I’m left wondering what it is about Cooper that we don’t know.

I'm not sure that the bolded part is true at all. If OBJ commands $20mm per year he wont be signing with the Cowboys I promise you that. Cooks has a big price tag attached, but by most reports the issue with that deal was the Cowboys wanted Houston to eat a good portion of the money.

Not saying that money was the only factor here, but I think it was a significant piece of the decision. I think there were also some issues with inconsistent effort, willingness to play though injuries, etc.

I look at who left this offeason (Collins, Cooper, Gregory) they all had availability issues (for a variety of reasons) and also had questions around their motors. I look at the people the Cowboys have acquired the last couple years and nearly all of them seem passionate about the game and play with an edge.

 

[Redline360]

Vax

Issues with
Dak
Coaching
Jerry

Either one or multiple of things mentioned. Was not about money 100% as indicated by what others teams have got or managed to do. Plus restructure his contract

 

[bsbellomy]

He just wore out his welcome last season between time missed with covid, up and down reliability, etc. There was probably more said behind closed doors and though he wasn't a loud mouth like TO the Cowboys were just fed up with him.

"Wore out his welcome". LOL. He didn't share Jerry's politics and he let it cloud his judgement.

 

[Big_D]

I don’t see obj commanding that money. Someone else can pay it if that’s the case!

 

[TheHerd]

To be fair, the Raiders got a first round pick, which at the time was a top 7 pick, for a receiver they knew was coming up for a contract. If we got a first round pick from Cleveland, I bet not a single thread would be questioning that move.

 

[aikemirv]

Jerry Jones: Amari Cooper is a real good player, the issue was how much we were paying him

Jerry could say that about a few players on the team he overpaid.

 

[Jumbo075]

Jerry Jones: Amari Cooper is a real good player, the issue was how much we were paying him

At the time, I accepted the money reason. It made sense that Lamb could replace Cooper at the #1 guy for a lower price, and he is younger. But it confuses me that they now seem to be wanting a replacement for Cooper that is a different player than Lamb. Lamb hasn't lit up the league, but he's played 5 of 8 games with the backup QB, who was more limited than Dak. (Not saying Dak is a top 5 guy, but he is better than Rush.) It just doesn't make sense to pursue another receiver, IMO.

 

[Gonzomandela01]

Amari Cooper is clearly a talented NFL wide receiver. He has size, speed, and superior route running ability. So why have both the Raiders and the Cowboys cut ties with him after 3-1/2 seasons in each location?

The missed trade for Brandon Cooks, and the potential signing of Odell Beckham, Jr. means that it wasn’t money that drove the decision to part with Cooper. Both players will command salaries similar to Cooper.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Amari has always been the consummate professional in how he handles himself with fans and the media. So it is a bit baffling that he has only had a shelf life of about 42 months in each location prior to being traded a second time to the Browns for only a 5th round pick.

The reality is that although offensive production is down in Dallas this year, we don’t know how much of that to attribute to the loss of Cooper. The injury to Dak, and the renewed commitment to running the football have also contributed to the lower overall production through the first 8 games.

Frankly, I’m left wondering what it is about Cooper that we don’t know.

There is an article that goes deeper in the Amari affair, the author claims it had a lot to do with AC performance in the playoff game against the whiners, take it for what is worth, don't shoot the messenger:

https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-trade-amari-cooper-dak-prescott-cleveland-browns-quit

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

------Frankly, I’m left wondering what it is about Cooper that we don’t know.

You and others may not know....I've known since 12/22/19....the day in Philadelphia that he once and for all showed Booger, The Clapping Carrot, and Chuckles just how much football means to him...I honestly believe that the dye was cast that day far as his long term future in Dallas.

What?

 

[Doomsday101]

Jerry could say that about a few players on the team he overpaid.

Sure he could but in the end Dallas had used a 1st rd pick on lamb with the intent he would become #1 WR, Gallup cost lower end, Cowboys get Washington he breaks his foot, no way they could envision this. WR Cowboys we were looking at trade deadline come with a high cost and Jerry did not sign Cook or Judey for that very reason. Odell likely would not cost anywhere close to what Cooper is getting and could proved vet depth at a position that is relatively thin

 

[Sydla]

1) Money - Cowboys needed to clear cap space and a restructure wouldn't have done enough

2) A thing we are not allowed to talk about here. Jerry was peeved Cooper refused a certain medical thingy that potentially caused him to miss games. Jerry likely took that as a sign of not being loyal to the team.

 

[RoboQB]

Cooper is playing with a career backup for the whole season.

And he's in a run dominated offensive scheme.
Lighting it up too.

 

[Runwildboys]

Amari Cooper is clearly a talented NFL wide receiver. He has size, speed, and superior route running ability. So why have both the Raiders and the Cowboys cut ties with him after 3-1/2 seasons in each location?

The missed trade for Brandon Cooks, and the potential signing of Odell Beckham, Jr. means that it wasn’t money that drove the decision to part with Cooper. Both players will command salaries similar to Cooper.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Amari has always been the consummate professional in how he handles himself with fans and the media. So it is a bit baffling that he has only had a shelf life of about 42 months in each location prior to being traded a second time to the Browns for only a 5th round pick.

The reality is that although offensive production is down in Dallas this year, we don’t know how much of that to attribute to the loss of Cooper. The injury to Dak, and the renewed commitment to running the football have also contributed to the lower overall production through the first 8 games.

Frankly, I’m left wondering what it is about Cooper that we don’t know.

Since they haven't actually paid anyone the amount he would've been paid, I don't think you can actually rule out money for certain. But I feel like he started to become too outspoken for Jerry's taste, which may have been the bigger issue. Also, there were many games in which he seemed to add nothing of value to the offense. It could also be that the FO overestimated what the current WR group could do, and felt he was an unnecessary expense.

 

[CowboyoWales]

The missed trade for Brandon Cooks, and the potential signing of Odell Beckham, Jr. means that it wasn’t money that drove the decision to part with Cooper. Both players will command salaries similar to Cooper.

You havent taken into account that Jerry intended/wanted to sign Gregory, which (over two years) at the Bronco's contract would of cost another $21.5m

But why pursue another big name WR, if money for production was the answer to the question?

"Pursue" as opposed to sign. Jerry speaks to fans but fails to sign SHOCKER.

Coop, who's good, but not worth the $22M he was getting paid and for a team with a poor shape CAP wise, possible QB chemistry concerns and with a OC and QB that appear to prefer to utilize the whole WR Corp and especially TE's then Coop becomes a very expensive piece.

It's even conceivable that Dak had a hand in the decision, an option - Schultz or Coop ???

 

[Doomsday101]

At the time, I accepted the money reason. It made sense that Lamb could replace Cooper at the #1 guy for a lower price, and he is younger. But it confuses me that they now seem to be wanting a replacement for Cooper that is a different player than Lamb. Lamb hasn't lit up the league, but he's played 5 of 8 games with the backup QB, who was more limited than Dak. (Not saying Dak is a top 5 guy, but he is better than Rush.) It just doesn't make sense to pursue another receiver, IMO.

at the right cost sure, we are thin. If Lamb goes down or Gallup who do we have outside of rookies? Dallas has shown they are not willing to pay out big money at that spot they had an opportunity to get Cooks and Judey both fell through because of the price tag. Not keeping Cooper should have any bearing on Dallas pursuing a WR at a reasonable cost.

 

[Scotman]

1) Money - Cowboys needed to clear cap space and a restructure wouldn't have done enough

2) A thing we are not allowed to talk about here. Jerry was peeved Cooper refused a certain medical thingy that potentially caused him to miss games. Jerry likely took that as a sign of not being loyal to the team.

I don't think it's any more complicated than this.

 

[RoboQB]

It was not about money... no matter how big and bold the words are typed.
It was not about the, uh, thing that nobody with knowledge and common sense
are aloud to speak on.
We have a company man at QB. He will not, can not, audible to a WR dominating
a DB. He will not take advantage of a mismatch.
And frankly, the black Kirk Cousins-rumor, whether true, or not, was a correct
statement at the time.
The QB is the reason Amari Cooper is gone.

 

[TwoDeep3]

What we could see was:
- not consistent on road vs home
- could disapeer at times when needed most
- big contract that wasn't worth the production
- future 1wr in ceedee in the waiting (in shadow)

What we heard but wasn't substantiated
- could have had some friction with Dak - name calling was referenced as a rumor
- not a vocal team leader that was expected

What we all hypothesised
- rubbed Jerry the wrong way with views on vacination
- put the team in a position where he was a potential locker room divider


There are probably a few other things that people could add but i would be willing to bet it was a combination of things from all three groups that got him let go

I think it came down to the fact Amari could beat Micah in chess, and when Jerry suggested he allow Micah to win, Amari said no.

Life hack....

You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't piss into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with Jethro's pet cat.