Amari Cooper Rumors: WR 'Motivated' to Sign New Cowboys Contract Ahead of FA

Amari Cooper told 105.3 The Fan last week that he wants "to be a Cowboy for life," and he reportedly wants that to become a reality soon.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported Tuesday morning that the Dallas Cowboys are "working hard" to reach an agreement with the 25-year-old wide receiver, as he and his agent are seemingly "motivated at the moment to get something done." 

"To me, present indications are he could be signed before [quarterback] Dak Prescott," Werder added.

Cooper admitted in late January that "nothing would surprise" him when asked if he thought the Cowboys would apply the franchise tag to him. However, he said he wants to have a long-term deal in place: 

Cooper is set to become an unrestricted free agent once the new NFL year begins March 18, and the league deadline for teams to apply the franchise or transition tag was extended earlier Tuesday to 11:59 a.m. ET on March 16.

Prescott is also set to become an unrestricted free agent.

According to CBS Sports' Patrik Walker, the Cowboys' hope is to sign "at least one" and hit "the other with a tag to buy themselves until mid-July to sort things out" before that new Monday deadline.

More from Walker: 

"A source confirmed to CBS Sports they've now met multiple times with the agents for the two cornerstone players, and have extended renewed offers to both. Details on what Cooper was offered are still much too fractured to report, but a separate source tells CBS Sports the latest offer to Prescott 'isn't exactly' at the $33 million annum mark, instead being 'slightly higher' with a nudge toward $34 million annually."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on First Take on Tuesday morning that Prescott will get the franchise tag:

During Cooper's 105.3 The Fan appearance with the Nosebleed Seats last week, he also stated it's "very important" to him that Prescott remain his quarterback:

Cooper was drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2015. The Alabama product was then traded to Dallas for a 2019 first-round pick in October 2018.

Cooper had caught 22 balls for 280 yards and one touchdown in six games for the Raiders before the move. Once landing with the Cowboys, he caught 53 passes for 725 yards and six touchdowns across nine games. Cooper and Prescott built upon that rapport last season, resulting in career-best numbers for Cooper: 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns on 79 catches in 16 games.