Could Cooper Kupp Land with the Dallas Cowboys?

The Trade Rumors and Speculation

On Monday morning, Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett publicly requested a trade. Naturally, as a Dallas Cowboys fan, my mind immediately started running through every possible trade scenario. But as much as I wanted to believe it, I quickly dismissed the idea—Garrett to the Cowboys just wouldn’t happen.

However, when the name Cooper Kupp entered the conversation, things became much more intriguing. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver took to social media to express his disappointment over the team’s intention to trade him, revealing that he had expected to be a “Ram for life.” This unexpected turn of events has led to speculation about where Kupp could land, and whether the Cowboys could—or should—make a move for him.

Could the Cowboys Afford Kupp?

The immediate response from the Cowboys’ front office would likely be a resounding “no.” Kupp is set to carry a $29 million cap hit, and the Cowboys have repeatedly used the salary cap as an excuse to avoid major trades. They would point to the looming contract situations of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, waving them around as a reason to sit out of the Kupp sweepstakes.

But is the salary cap really the issue? The Philadelphia Eagles, for example, have managed to build a roster loaded with talent despite their own financial commitments. Their front office, led by general manager Howie Roseman, operates with a different philosophy—one that prioritizes adding talent whenever opportunities arise.

The Cowboys, despite claiming financial limitations, could create close to $100 million in cap space for 2025 with simple restructures to contracts such as Prescott’s, Lamb’s, Trevon Diggs’, and Terence Steele’s. Additionally, extending Micah Parsons could significantly lower his cap hit. Parsons himself has even stated he wants to get a deal done early to help with financial flexibility.

With the right moves, making space for Kupp wouldn’t be as difficult as the Cowboys might suggest.

Would Kupp Be a Good Fit?

While Kupp is no longer the elite, game-breaking receiver he was during the Rams’ Super Bowl run in 2021-2022, he would still be a significant upgrade for the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb is one of the best wide receivers in the league, but beyond him, the depth chart looks shaky. Brandin Cooks is set to hit free agency, and Jalen Tolbert might be the second-best receiver under contract—a concerning reality for a team with championship aspirations.

Even if Kupp isn’t at his peak, he could still be an excellent No. 2 receiver in Dallas, providing Prescott with another reliable target and taking pressure off Lamb.

Will the Cowboys Make a Move?

History suggests that the Cowboys will sit this one out, citing financial concerns as a reason to avoid making a deal. But if they’re serious about competing for a Super Bowl, they should be looking for every opportunity to improve the roster. Kupp’s availability presents a rare chance to add a proven playmaker, and if Dallas wants to take that next step, they need to at least entertain the idea.

Will they? Probably not. Should they? Absolutely.