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Report: Cowboys likely to release Cooper

Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Dallas Cowboys are likely to cut wide receiver Amari Cooper by the start of the new league year, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Dallas will, however, attempt to trade the wideout before releasing him, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Cooper is due $20 million in fully guaranteed money four days after the 2022 offseason officially begins on March 16, adds Schefter.

His release would save the Cowboys $16 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. Dallas is currently projected to be roughly $21 million over the cap, the third-worst mark in the NFL.

Cooper signed a five-year, $100-million contract in March 2020, making him the league's second-highest-paid receiver at the time.

But the 27-year-old has struggled to establish himself among the elite at his position and live up to his big-money extension.

While Cooper posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2018-20, he failed to exceed 1,200 yards or double-digit touchdowns in any of those years. Cooper's 1,000-yard streak was snapped in 2021 as CeeDee Lamb took over the No. 1 role.

Dallas also apparently favors Michael Gallup over Cooper. Part of the motivation behind the veteran's release is it would help the team re-sign the free-agent Gallup, sources told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson.

Gallup suffered a torn ACL in January. He racked up 445 yards and two scores in nine appearances in 2021. The Cowboys are close to signing him to a new deal, according to Schefter.

The NFC East club has two other prominent members of its offense set to hit the open market: tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson. Meanwhile, Lamb will be eligible for an extension after the 2022 campaign.

Despite his down year in 2021, Cooper will become one of the top options in a loaded free-agent wide-receiver class that includes Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, Mike Williams, and Allen Robinson.

Dallas acquired Cooper from the Las Vegas Raiders for a first-round pick in October 2018.

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