FRISCO, Texas – Only time will tell what the future holds for Amari Cooper, but he has made it clear what he'd like to happen.
The Cowboys' Pro Bowl wide receiver will see his contract expire in less than two weeks, and speculations continues to swirl about his long-term future. But asked about it Thursday night in an interview with 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas, Cooper made his preference perfectly clear.
"I love being a Dallas Cowboy. I was just thinking about that today – I think about it almost every day, really," Cooper said. "Prime time games, it seems like more night games than anybody, and that always feels good for football players. Everything – the facility, I love it here in Frisco. Just the aura of being a Dallas Cowboy, I mean you can't beat it. I want to be a Dallas Cowboy for life."
It's a great sentiment, but it will be put to the test in the next two weeks. Cooper is one of three Pro Bowlers the Cowboys have headed for free agency, alongside Dak Prescott and Byron Jones.
The Cowboys' front office has made it perfectly clear that Prescott will be franchise tagged if need be, and the deadline to do so is coming up on March 12. The team can also use the transition tag on another player – presumably Cooper – although the ongoing CBA negotiations could affect their ability to do that.
It's a lot to consider, but Cooper did allow that Prescott's own future with the franchise is something he weighs heavily in his mind.
"It's very important," he said. "We've built a good relationship so far. From the time I got here we were able to hit the ground running, and just from my experience of being in the NFL, I wouldn't say that that's a common thing."
One way or another, the speculation will come to an end soon. The deadline for the Cowboys to tag Cooper or Prescott – or both – is less than a week away. From there, free agency opens March 18.
The Cowboys will have their work cut out for them to make sure both players remain with the organization for the future.
