Amari Cooper has given the Dallas Cowboys new life in a division that's entirely up for grabs. And it looks like the team is going to honor that boost with a contract before it becomes too costly to retain the star.
Cooper was one of several big names traded away by the Oakland Raiders this year, with Dallas giving up a first-round draft pick for the young standout. The 24-year-old is still on a rookie contract, and Oakland exercised his 5th-year option before the trade. If Dallas wants to retain Cooper beyond next year, however, they will have to come to the negotiating table before Cooper's play puts his price tag out of reach.
According to anonymous sources who spoke to ESPN, Dallas wants to work out a deal this offseason. They haven't started talking to Cooper yet, though.
The Cowboys were 3-4 when they traded for Cooper in October. They are currently 6-5 and tied with the Washington Redskins atop the NFC East.
While Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones was questioned for trading a pick for the occasionally inconsistent receiver, Cooper has scored three touchdowns in 4 games since joining the team. Jones said that he was convinced to take a shot by Cooper's former coach.
"Jack Del Rio told me before we made the trade, he said, 'Just look at the Kansas City film a year ago,'" Jones said after the Cowboys win on Thanksgiving, according to ProFootballTalk. "We just said to hell with it. We're not going to do anything but throw him the ball. Just look at that, and that will show you what Amari is like. And so that [game today] kind of reminded me a little of what [Del Rio] was trying to say...I'm proud for him. He's working hard. He's so conscientious, and I just am so proud that we have him."
