Wide receiver Amari Cooper and the Dallas Cowboys are working to resolve his roster status, but no action is expected until March 20.
That’s the date when Cooper’s $20 million in fully guaranteed money hits the Cowboys’ ledger.
Reports surfaced during the NFL Scouting Combine that Dallas was “likely” to release Cooper. But NFL Network reported Wednesday the Cowboys have received inquiries from multiple potential trade partners.
Trading for Cooper would allow a team to avoid waiting in a queue along with other bidders if he is released. No trade could be official until March 16, the first day of the NFL league year.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously called out Cooper for failing to produce on the level expected, given his salary on the heels of a $100 million contract extension.
Cooper, 27, caught 68 passes for 865 yards and a career high-tying eight touchdowns in 15 games last season. His totals in receptions and receiving yards trailed team leader CeeDee Lamb (79, 1,102 yards), while his touchdown total matched tight end Dalton Schultz for the club lead. The Cowboys used the franchise tag to retain Schultz on Monday.
Fellow wideout Michael Gallup is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 16. His availability for the start of next season is in question after he tore his ACL on Jan. 2. But the Cowboys are actively negotiating a long-term deal with Gallup, according to multiple reports.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cooper has 517 catches for 7,076 yards with 46 touchdowns in 108 career games with the then-Oakland Raiders and Cowboys. He was selected by the Raiders with the fourth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys acquired Cooper in October 2018, sending a first-round pick in the 2019 draft to the Raiders.