The structure of this rumor is easy to follow but perplexing to think about. The Dallas Cowboys, with CeeDee Lamb and few other offensive options, should indeed be seeking ways to improve.
It’s the responsibility of owner Jerry Jones and his team to explore every option.
But how did that turn into speculation that the Cowboys might reunite with Amari Cooper? Let’s break it down into five steps.
STEP 1: According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Cowboys are among the teams that would “love” to trade for a wide receiver before the November 5 deadline. He even mentions names like Davante Adams alongside the Cowboys.
Where did this idea come from? It’s unclear. But in examining his “report”…
Adams has a $25 million cap hit, which would eat up all of the Cowboys’ available cap space—money that’s currently set aside for 2025 as part of a “rebuild” plan. Beyond that?
Adams is 32 and under contract until 2026. His cap hits for 2025 and 2026? $44 million and $45 million, respectively.
Is ESPN serious? It’s highly doubtful anyone within the Cowboys organization suggested an Adams trade. Improving the receiver position is important, but this seems highly unlikely.
STEP 2: The “insider” also points to Cleveland Browns receiver Cooper, who the Cowboys know well. A Twitter account called “Football Forever” suggested a Cowboys/Cooper connection.
In 2022, the Cowboys traded Cooper to the Browns for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round swap. Why? They didn’t see him as a full-effort player or worth his $20 million annual salary.
BThat simple tweet from an unverified source has garnered 800,000 views and sparked rampant speculation.
STEP 3: Even Clarence Hill, a respected Dallas beat writer, tweeted that the Cowboys should trade a fifth-round pick for Cooper if they’re still in the playoff hunt by the deadline.
Everyone’s entitled to an opinion, and Hill’s is respected. Cooper had two 1,000-yard seasons and four Pro Bowl appearances in Dallas.
But … Cooper has just five catches for 27 yards through two games in Cleveland, along with two dropped potential TD passes. Why would Dallas want him?
The Browns, who made the playoffs last year, also have playoff aspirations. Why wouldn’t they want to keep him?
Cooper is in the final year of his contract, so Dallas would only get a rental—an expensive one. Is the five-time Pro Bowler worth $20 million at this stage, when the Cowboys didn’t think he was worth that two years ago at 28?
Additionally, Cleveland just guaranteed Cooper’s salary and added $5 million in incentives. A trade would also cost them $6 million in cap space. So, Cleveland would lose money, weaken their roster, and get only a low draft pick in return.
Why would Cleveland do this again?
ESPN has lumped several big-name players into a story, thrown the Cowboys in for good measure, and let people assume a loose connection is something solid. In truth, the Cowboys’ current plan doesn’t involve a blockbuster trade for a $20 million receiver in his 30s. If that changes—wins and the trade deadline might alter things—we’ll update you.
