Amari Cooper leaving NFC East is best-case scenario for Commanders

The Washington Commanders aren’t in a position to brag or look down on other teams, but there’s no rule stating you can’t laugh at a division rival, right?

Random digs are one thing, but when criticism is warranted, it’s only natural to want to poke fun at a rival. Given the Commanders’ long-standing status as a punching bag, you have to take your opportunities when they come.

Enter the Dallas Cowboys, whose confounding approach to the offseason has fans questioning the front office’s objective. Despite boasting an immensely talented roster, Jerry Jones and Co. seem more concerned about saving money than pushing their chips to the table in the name of chasing a championship.

The latter scenario seemingly wouldn’t entail getting rid of the receiver responsible for saving Dak Prescott’s career, but Dallas proved long ago by signing Ezekiel Elliott to a mammoth extension, that they don’t abide by basic logic.

Over the weekend, the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper and a sixth-round pick to Cleveland for a fifth- and sixth-round draft choice.

It’s nothing short of stupefying on Dallas’ end, but Commanders fans should be throwing a parade they’ll no longer face Cooper twice a year.

Amari Cooper leaving the NFC East is a win for the Commanders.

Yes, the de facto best-case scenario would have seen the Cowboys release Cooper and immediately sign with the Commanders. Dallas shipping the four-time Pro Bowler out of the conference prevents him from signing with a division rival (like Washington or Philly) or another contender in the NFC.

From the moment he arrived in Dallas, Cooper imposed his will on Washington’s secondary. If you remember, Cooper went nuclear against the Commanders in just his fourth game with the Cowboys after he arrived via trade in 2018, notching eight catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yarder.

In seven games against Washington as a Cowboys receiver, Cooper totaled 41 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers equate to an average of 5.9 catches for 92 yards and 0.8 scores, and his six touchdowns are the most he’s recorded against any team. Just remarkable consistency.

In what was considered a down year for Cooper’s standards in 2021, he still managed to make light work of Washington’s secondary. In two games, he compiled 12 catches for 136 yards and, wouldn’t you know it, a pair of TDs.

The only caveat? The Browns are set to visit FedEx Field next season, so Cooper will get the chance to wreak havoc against his favorite opponent once again. The silver lining is that he’ll have a downgrade at quarterback (assuming Baker Mayfield is kept) and his fit in Cleveland’s offense is questionable at best.

The main takeaway is Cooper won’t be playing Washington twice a season. We’ll trade one potential big game over two any day.