The Dallas Cowboys are in a tight spot heading into free agency that has some significant decisions ahead of them that could dramatically impact their long-term future. Before the start of the tampering period on Monday afternoon, the Cowboys have elected to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott as what’s long been expected to be the move. That has at least tabled the contract talks with Prescott but leaves the door open on their standing with star wide receiver Amari Cooper. With free agency on the horizon, will the Cowboys be able to retain the Pro Bowl wideout this offseason?

Amari Cooper’s interest in staying a Cowboy

Throughout the last several months, Cooper has remained on the path of voicing his strong desire to be with the Cowboys for the long haul.

The 25-year-old has continued to reiterate that stance even as the start of free agency has neared closer. That was certainly the case earlier this month as he told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that he wants to be in Dallas for the rest of his NFL career.

“I love being a Dallas Cowboy. I was just thinking about that today – I think about it almost every day, really. Primetime 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.”

That has shifted the onus over to the Cowboys to get a new deal done with Cooper to keep him in place for at least the next several years. There hasn’t been much movement on that end, which has opened the door to the alternative, possibly taking place for Pro Bowler this offseason.

Amari Cooper hitting the open market

The #Cowboys won’t have a deal for WR Amari Cooper by the time the tampering window opens, but they’ve had talks and obviously want to bring him back. Those talks will continue.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

Throughout the last several weeks, the dialogue around the Cowboys has been their strong desire to retain Cooper.

However, the contract talks haven’t progressed in any manner toward a new deal being in place, which has seen the tampering window opening around the league. It allows any team to reach out and speak with Cooper to express interest before free agency begins on Thursday.

He may now be able to speak with any team, but the fact that the contract talks are continuing should be a positive sign for the Cowboys. It’s all on their shoulders to put together a deal that was previously reported that he wants to be one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league.

With Prescott’s situation tabled for at least the time being, it should push Dallas to go all-in on getting a new lucrative contract in place for their star wideout.

Will the Cowboys bring back Amari Cooper?

Since the topic of his contract situation with the Cowboys became relevant, Cooper has continued to handle it in a professional matter.

His desire to stay with Dallas has remained evident from the start, while he hasn’t pushed his way toward wanting to become the highest-paid player at his position. It has been a matter that has the elements for the Cowboys being able to keep their star wide receiver throughout the prime of his career.

The hold up in the talks appears to be on the Cowboys as their focus varied from Cooper and Prescott. With the latter now under the franchise tag for the 2020 season, it should allow them to truly center on working a long-term deal out with their star wide receiver as keeping him could be vital to maintaining stability and balance in their passing game.

The Cowboys wouldn’t have given up a first-round pick if they didn’t believe Cooper was part of their bigger picture over the long haul.