The Seattle Seahawks signed wide receiver Cooper Kupp shortly after free agency began last week. The move made sense given Kupp’s personal ties to Seattle and Washington state at large. However, the Seahawks certainly were not his only option, as the Dallas Cowboys were one team with interest in the veteran pass catcher.
Dallas made some intriguing moves in free agency, especially on the trade front. For instance, the Cowboys traded for corner Kaiir Elam to give them a potential long-term piece on defense. However, they sought to improve their offense after a disappointing 7-10 season.
Cowboys stars Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb reportedly wanted him too. Calling it a perfect fit may be a bit dramatic. However, it certainly seemed like a good fit, until it came time to talk turkey at the negotiating table.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Balked at Cooper Kupp Asking Price After Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb Recruitment
This report comes from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. On a recent episode of his podcast, Schefter reveals that Lamb and Prescott called Kupp about the possibility of him joining the Cowboys. However, talks went south once the financials came into play.
“Last Thursday, the Cowboys reached out about Cooper Kupp and they were interested,” Schefter said, as transcribed by Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr.
“Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who I understand it, were on the phone with Cooper Kupp talking to him about the idea of coming to Dallas, and it was floated out there. And then the Cowboys heard the numbers, and they were at numbers that the Cowboys weren’t going to get to.”
Per @AdamSchefter, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb called to recruit Cooper Kupp to the Cowboys:
"Last Thursday, the Cowboys reached out about Cooper Kupp and they were interested," Schefter said on his podcast. "Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who I understand it,…— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 18, 2025
In the end, Kupp signed with his hometown Seahawks, receiving a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency. This works out to a salary of $15 million per season for the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year.
The Cowboys did end up adding to their offense in free agency, by overhauling their run game with the signings of Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams.
As for receiver, the Cowboys signed veteran receiver Paris Campbell off the open market. Campbell, a former second-round pick, played just five games with the Eagles in 2024. He caught six passes for 30 yards on the year and also registering a touchdown.
The new Dallas receiver was once seen as a potential up-and-coming star. However, injuries derailed his career in a major way. Still, at 27 years old, he may still have something in the tank. It’s a low-risk deal for Dallas to make at this point in the offseason.
Still, the Cowboys could use a more impactful pass catcher. The depth behind Lamb is a question mark heading into April’s 2025 NFL Draft. And it’s an area the team will need to address if they want to return to the playoffs this upcoming season.
The Cowboys are trying to put last year’s disappointment behind them and signing Kupp would have been a fine way to improve the team for 2025. Unfortunately, he was out of the team’s price range. And the team will need to find themselves a more suitable pass catcher as a result.