Predicting Amari Cooper’s Next Contract in Free Agency

It goes without saying that the Dallas Cowboys are prioritizing inking quarterback Dak Prescott to a contract extension this offseason.

Both parties have reportedly reached an impasse in their discussions, but the sheer number of reports emerging over the last few months indicates that Jerry Jones and Co. are pressing the issue.

What isn't getting discussed enough, however, is the future of star wideout Amari Cooper, who will also become a free agent in March, and whose presence helped remake Prescott into the budding star he is today.

Amari Cooper Contract Predictions

The Alabama product has previously stated his desire to return to Dallas, but there's been little to no evidence to suggest that the Cowboys are prepared to offer him a lucrative deal...at least, not yet. Therefore, we predict that Dallas eventually meets Prescott's demands (probably by overpaying him) and subsequently places the franchise tag on Cooper for the 2020 season.

Essentially, the franchise tag is a one-year guaranteed contract that prevents a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent. The salary stems from the average of the top five salaries in the NFL at the WR position, so tagging Cooper would cost Dallas close to $19 million in 2020.

After the 2020 season, however, we fully anticipate that Cooper will pursue a contract that makes him one of the richest receivers in the league Assuming he avoids a serious injury, expect the four-time Pro Bowler to notch a five-year, $83 million agreement, or something in that proximity.

That contract would make Cooper the third-highest paid WR in the league, trailing only Julio Jones ($22 million per year) and Michael Thomas ($19.25 million per year), while eclipsing the annual salaries of Brandin Cooks ($16.2 mil) and Mike Evans ($16.5 mil).

Whether that contract is with the Cowboys remains to be seen because you can bet the farm that other teams -- the Baltimore Ravens, to name one -- will look to outbid Dallas next offseason.