When the Washington Commanders current regime led by head coach Ron Rivera arrived in 2020, the team sought after wide receiver Amari Cooper in free agency. They went as far as offering him more than the five-year, $100 million deal he ultimately signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
Cooper wanted to remain a Cowboy despite Washington’s heavy push. However, two seasons into the contract, it’s clear things haven’t gone smoothly as expected for Cooper in Dallas. Now, he may be on his way out.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are “likely” to release Cooper. The team has until March 20 to make a decision, because Cooper is owed a guaranteed $20 million for 2022 on that date.
If Cooper becomes available, the Commanders need to kick the tires on the talented wide receiver again.
A lot of, if not all, of the attention for the Commanders’ offseason has been on their search for quarterback. Yet, getting a second wide receiver to play opposite of No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin may be needed just as much.
It may be hard to justify paying Cooper anything close to his current deal, if you’re Washington. However, a reasonable contract demand surely should get the Commanders’ attention.
The Commanders have reasonable cap space with just over $30 million, and can create more space with some maneuvering. Washington needs good football players.
McLaurin has established himself as Washington’s top receiving option. He’s had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and led the team in catches and receiving yards each of his three seasons in the NFL.
McLaurin’s emergence has come with no franchise quarterback. In fact he has played with eight different quarterbacks in just three seasons. He also doesn’t have the luxury of a true No. 2 WR option to alleviate the load from him.
Washington signed Curtis Samuel last offseason to a three-year, $34.5 million deal. However, Samuel played just 84 snaps last season due to a lingering groin injury that required core muscle surgery.
Even with Samuel back to full form in 2022, Cooper is needed within offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s offense. Samuel isn’t an outside receiver. He’s more of a slot receiver/running back tweener. Some are referencing him as a “wide back,” the same term used by San Francisco 49ers dual-threat star Deebo Samuel.
That opens the door for a No. 2 wide out. A released Amari Cooper would surely be one of the top wide receiver targets in free agency. Cooper has four 1,000-yard seasons. Even on a down year last season, he led the Cowboys with eight receiving touchdowns.
He’ll command double teams. That will create even more opportunities for McLaurin. And if teams prefer to shell McLaurin, good luck trying to cover Cooper with single coverage.
Cooper would complement McLaurin like no other Washington wide receiver. A receiving trio of McLaurin, Cooper and Samuel would be the best Washington has had in a long, long time.
There is uncertainty at quarterback. But, whoever they pick would love to be throwing passes to aforementioned group. It’s a wait and see. Trading Cooper is another option for Dallas. But, hard to believe a team taking on his current contract.
Nonetheless, Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew are looking to improve the overall talent of the roster. If Amari Cooper hits the market, it’s only right to do their due diligence and revisit to see both sides’ interest.
