Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence may not continue in Dallas

Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence may not continue in Dallas in 2022

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The Cowboys will have a bit of a tough salary-cap situation this year. Right now, the cowboy team has a surplus of $21.6 million over the cap. Besides, he must face the renewals of several players whose contract ends in March. Because of this, Dallas will likely have to part with two key pieces on its team: wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

The most complicated case, without a doubt, is that of Cooper. Recall that the receiver signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension in 2020. However, the Cowboys included an “escape route” in the deal, which they can exercise this year.

If the team releases Cooper before the fifth day of the new league year (ie March 21), his $20 million salary would not be guaranteed. This would allow Dallas $16 million in salary-cap savings, on top of having just $6 million in dead money.

This was a scenario the Cowboys were prepared for from the time of Cooper’s extension. So it’s no surprise that this coincides with the end of fellow catcher Michael Gallup’s rookie contract. In this way, the cowboy leadership reserved the opportunity to have to choose one or the other this year. This, in large part, is because a potential extension for Gallup would be costly for the team.

However, the performance of both receivers in the 2021 season was far from expected due to various factors. And this leaves the Cowboys with a serious dilemma ahead of them.

On the one hand, Amari Cooper comes from having his worst records since his arrival in Dallas in 2018. This season, the receiver had just 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. This left him as the third Dallas player in receiving yards in 2021 behind CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz. In fact, Cooper even declared to the media that he wanted to receive the ball more.

But that was not all. There were moments of the campaign where Cooper was not at his best level due to different physical discomforts. In addition, he missed two games due to COVID-19 and was fined by the NFL in January after attending a massive event without being vaccinated. All this generates many doubts when it comes to assessing whether it is worth it for Dallas to retain Cooper, who months ago proclaimed himself “the best receiver in the NFL.”

Now, the current situation of Michael Gallup did not make things any easier. The #13 is a great offensive asset for Dallas when it comes to deep passing. However, injuries limited him in 2021. The receiver played just nine games, registering 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, Gallup finished the season on injured reserve after suffering an ACL injury to his knee in Week 17.

Now, the Cowboys will have to decide whether to keep Cooper despite his poor performance in 2021, or whether to keep Gallup despite his recent injuries. It is unlikely that the cowboy leadership will be able to retain both. In fact, this would only happen if the receivers accept a reduction in their salary or some other adjustment that helps the team’s finances.

Lawrence’s continuity, another dilemma for Dallas

DeMarcus Lawrence’s situation is less complicated than Cooper’s. However, the defensive end’s high salary ($19 million according to Over The Cap) and his age could mean the Cowboys will have to let him go if necessary.

In Lawrence’s case, the Cowboys could save $19 million under the salary cap, impacting $8 million of dead money. These numbers will only be possible if the team releases “Tank” after June 1 of this year. Therefore, the leadership will have more time to assess his possible departure or to make other adjustments to the budget.

Let’s remember that Lawrence is coming off having little participation in the 2021 season, missing 10 games due to a broken foot. As for numbers, “Tank” recorded 21 combined tackles, five tackles for loss of yards, seven quarterback hits, three sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown.

Beyond his little participation and his numbers, the Cowboys’ defense proved to be better when DLaw is present. Paired with Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory, Dallas has a fearsome trio of pass-rushers who can spell trouble for opposing offenses. And this is something that the leadership has to value when thinking about the continuity of Lawrence.

Although DeMarcus Lawrence’s health is not in doubt, his almost 30 years may be a factor that works against him. Besides, it’s already clear that “Tank” is no longer the best pass-rusher in Dallas, seeing the production of Parsons and Gregory. However, Lawrence packs a punch when defending on the ground. And this is a defensive facet that the Cowboys have to improve for next season.

One of the formulas under which Lawrence could follow is that he accept an adjustment or reduction in his salary. And this is something that, according to close sources, “Tank” would not accept. Therefore, cutting it is a very feasible alternative to benefit the finances of the cowboy team.

For now, the future of Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence in Dallas will remain in doubt. It will be in March, when the new league year begins and free agency, when we have more clarity about it. The truth is that the Cowboys have many accounts to settle around them and the players they will renew. Therefore, the month of March promises to be busy in the offices of the cowboy team.

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Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence may not continue in Dallas in 2022

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