The Cowboys have launched OT Matt Waletzko from injured reserve, reaching a settlement with the fourth-year prospect to finish his time in Dallas. That is hardly breaking information for a participant who solely appeared for 20 offensive snaps in three years, however it does deliver closure to the a lot greater story of the Amari Cooper commerce in 2022. Waletzko was the final remaining asset from that deal, and his inconsequential Cowboys profession is the sesame seed bun on the nothing burger that Dallas bought for his or her one-time star receiver.
In March of 2022, the Cowboys despatched Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in alternate for a fifth-round decide and a swap of sixth-round picks, which moved Dallas up 10 spots. They drafted Waletzko with the fifth and LB Devin Harper with the sixth. Harper was a non-factor, solely enjoying particular groups for a number of video games as a rookie earlier than getting injured. He made the workforce in 2023 because of accidents however solely lasted a number of weeks earlier than being waived.
Waletzko made it to his fourth and last coaching camp regardless of a number of accidents and an absence of progress to this point. However like most groups, Dallas is at all times in search of depth at offensive deal with. Sadly an ankle damage took Waletzko out of the competitors early, and he was waived injured on August 2nd. After no person claimed him, Waletzko reverted to IR and has now reached a settlement to be absolutely launched from his rookie contract.
Clearly, by way of the draft compensation, Dallas didn’t get a lot of something for Amari Cooper. Extra spins on the wheel are good, and also you by no means know what these Day 3 picks would possibly develop into. Simply twelve spots after Waletzko was taken, the Cowboys drafted CB DaRon Bland. Between these two Dallas picks, the Rams took RB Kyren Williams. The chances aren’t excessive for that late within the draft, however that’s why we name them “gems.”
Virtually talking, the actual return on the Cooper commerce was $16 million in wage cap house. This room was used to fund strikes like re-signing WR Michael Gallup and including safeties Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker. It was believed that a lot of that cash was anticipated to go to DE Randy Gregory, however his negotiation with Dallas bottomed out on the final minute. However within the Cowboys entrance workplace’s thoughts, the commerce was only a option to get some further capital again for Cooper as a substitute of simply releasing him for the cap room.
However nonetheless, that perspective provides little consolation. Dallas basically dumped Cooper for Gallup, and the outcome was ugly. Gallup by no means bought again to pre-injury kind and was gone two years later. The Cowboys have missed having one other true WR2 within the offense for 2 years, therefore why they made the large commerce for George Pickens final spring. Whereas Dallas had a really productive passing offense in 2023, placing Dak Prescott into MVP consideration, they nonetheless struggled in situational soccer in opposition to high NFL opponents. The dearth of expertise betrayed them when it counted most.
Maybe what’s extra irritating about this now than even in 2022 is the rumor that Cooper’s departure was pushed by Mike McCarthy. The pinnacle coach and veteran receiver reportedly didn’t get alongside, and it’s develop into extra public lately that McCarthy could have been the important thing motive that Dallas was keen to half with Cooper for such a restricted return. Given how McCarthy’s final two years went, you need to marvel how a lot he was price listening to.
In the long run, from any angle, it’s onerous to say that the Cowboys bought something again for letting Amari Cooper go. The draft picks went about how Day 3 picks often go, and selecting Michael Gallup over Cooper was a giant danger that blew up of their faces. The unceremonious finish to Matt Waletzko’s time in Dallas is only a reminder, and hopefully the final one, of how poorly Cooper’s exit went.
