$39 Million NFL Playmaker May Be Let Go by Cowboys.

Barnwell described Cooks as a player who may now be best suited as a third wideout, effective against man coverage. However, his performance in zone coverage has been underwhelming. Cooks ranked last in yards per route run against zone coverage in the 2024 season, indicating his effectiveness has diminished over time.

At 31 years old, Cooks has had a lengthy career, entering the NFL at age 20. While he still has some football left in him, he may have more wear and tear compared to other players of the same age. He earned $8 million with the Cowboys in 2024, but as an unrestricted free agent, his market value is expected to be significantly lower, likely closer to $3 million for a one-year deal.

Cooks is coming off a two-year, $39.7 million contract with the Cowboys, but his free-agent market is expected to be much less lucrative. Spotrac projects his next contract to be around $5 million for one year. This figure is considerably lower than what he earned in the past, making it plausible for Dallas to offer him a more affordable deal if they decide to re-sign him.

However, the Cowboys have to balance this decision carefully. Re-signing Cooks would limit opportunities for younger wide receivers on the roster and potentially block rookies Dallas might select in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. This raises the question of whether it’s worth bringing him back at a reduced price.

Cooks had a disappointing 2024 season, his worst statistical year in the NFL. He struggled with injuries and played in just 10 games, finishing with only 26 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns. This drop in production came amid challenges for the Cowboys, including a hamstring injury to quarterback Dak Prescott that kept him out for much of the season.

Barnwell also pointed out that Cooks’ numbers have steadily declined over the last five years. In 2020, he averaged 2.3 yards per route run with the Houston Texans, but that figure has dropped each year since. By 2024, his route efficiency had plummeted to 0.9 yards per route run, ranking 100th out of 114 wide receivers who ran at least 200 routes.

While it’s possible that Prescott’s absence played a role in Cooks’ struggles, the veteran receiver’s decline occurred even during seasons with Prescott at the helm. This suggests that Cooks’ performance issues might not solely be attributed to the Cowboys’ quarterback situation, further complicating his future with the team.