The Dallas Cowboys have been pretty quiet in free agency thus far. A team that hasn’t signed a free agent for more than $6 million since Greg Hardy’s one-year, $11.3 million contract in 2015 hasn’t broken that streak since the NFL’s legal tampering window opened on Monday. But it hasn’t been like there aren’t players that could help them – especially at the receiver position.
While the Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb signed through the 2028 season, he doesn’t have much help. Jalen Tolbert caught 49 passes for 610 yards and seven touchdowns but may be miscast as a No. 2 receiver. The Cowboys are also high on KaVontae Turpin but he profiles more as a gadget player more than an offensive weapon.
It’s why Dallas could be interested in a receiver that hit the market on Wednesday but early reports suggest the Cowboys could be on the sidelines again for another big-name free agent.
Cowboys Reportedly Not in The Mix for Former Rams WR Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams officially released Cooper Kupp on Wednesday, presenting a big-name wide receiver to help the Dallas offense. But while bringing Kupp to the Cowboys makes sense, NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports they are “not in the mix right now” to sign the former All-Pro.
Kupp became a star with the Los Angeles Rams, spending eight years after he was a third-round pick out of Eastern Washington in the 2017 draft. His best season came when he won the NFL’s triple crown receiving title, catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns but the 31-year-old hasn’t reached those highs since, averaging 67 catches for 753 yards and six touchdowns over the past three seasons.
While his All-Pro days may be behind him, Kupp can do enough to impact an offense. But NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added that teams weren’t willing to give up draft compensation or take on the $20 million owed on the remainder of Kupp’s contract, forcing the Rams to release him.
The move would seem to favor the Cowboys as they can get Kupp for a cheaper price – $11 million per season according to Spotrac – and don’t have to give up anything to do it. But such a move would acquire some salary cap gymnastics even with $55 million in cap space for the upcoming season.
The Cowboys already have Dak Prescott and Lamb signed to top-of-the-market contracts after last summer but need to pay Micah Parsons this summer. Locking up the two-time All-Pro seems like a better investment than adding a receiver in his 30s, but the Cowboys need to do something to add weapons to their offense.
Bringing Kupp in would be perfect for a Madden franchise or fantasy football, but it doesn’t seem like Dallas is interested as he hits the open market.