By Blessing 
Cowboys Are Playing with Fire If Latest Cooper Kupp Rumors Hold True
So far, free agency has unfolded exactly how most Dallas Cowboys fans feared it would. Instead of bold moves or splashy signings, the front office has opted for a safe and familiar path—bargain-bin additions and a couple of low-risk trades for former first-rounders who, by now, can only be described as “busts” based on their draft pedigree.
With nearly $60 million in cap space freed up ahead of the new league year, it’s fair to wonder: is Dallas keeping something big under wraps? Or is the plan simply to roll some of that cap room into next season? Either way, one thing is clear—this roster has glaring holes, and kicking the can down the road won’t fix that.
That brings us to the buzz around Cooper Kupp, who could potentially be the marquee move fans are hoping for. According to insider Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado, the Cowboys are “very in the mix” for the former Super Bowl MVP, who became a free agent after the Rams failed to find a trade partner and ultimately released him.
Naturally, Kupp isn’t going to come cheap, and that’s where things might get tricky for Dallas. While his release has sparked hope among Cowboys Nation, the latest updates from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggest the team might be facing some tough competition—and a price tag that could scare off the Joneses.
“This is kind of a weird situation because we’ve known for weeks Cooper Kupp is available,” Rapoport said. “No one’s traded for him, which creates the perception publicly that his market is kind of meh. I don’t think it is. I think it’s pretty strong. I don’t think it’s going to be $20 million a year, but if it’s $11-12 [million]? Josh Palmer got in free agency I believe it was $12. I can see Kupp getting that.”
It’s a fair point. If Josh Palmer landed a $12 million deal with the Bills, and Darius Slayton received a similar payday from the Giants, why wouldn’t Kupp—who’s far more accomplished—command something in that same ballpark?
Even if Kupp’s age and injury history are a concern (he’ll be 32 in June and has missed 18 games over the last three seasons), his résumé still puts him in a different tier. The problem is, a deal in the $11-12 million range might be too rich for the Cowboys’ front office, which has historically stuck to a strict spending philosophy.
Had Kupp’s market fallen closer to $6-8 million annually, it might’ve made more sense for Dallas to aggressively pursue him. But at this price? You can practically hear the hesitation echoing through the halls at The Star.
If Kupp ends up elsewhere, the Cowboys better have a backup plan—fast. Entering the NFL Draft without adding a capable receiver would be a major risk, especially given how underwhelming this year’s receiver class appears to be.
There are still a few notable veterans on the market—Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, Diontae Johnson, and Stefon Diggs, to name a few—but options are dwindling. And given the Cowboys’ cautious approach, fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a splash move.
Of course, Rapoport’s update doesn’t completely shut the door on Kupp landing in Dallas. But let’s be honest: this regime rarely ventures beyond its financial comfort zone. Add Kupp’s age and health to the equation, and this feels more like a long shot than a legitimate pursuit.
Still, hope lingers. The Cowboys have the cap space and the need. Now, the question is—do they have the will?