Stephen Jones noncommittal on Cooper's roster status

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones didn't commit to keeping Amari Cooper on the roster Monday as the club looks to trim salary before free agency.

"It's too early for me to address that yet," Jones said, according to Jori Epstein of USA Today. "We're continuing to have conversations. A lot of things affect that. … There are some moving parts to that that we'll have to continue to massage as we move forward."

The Cowboys are roughly $22 million over the salary cap and must clear the excess money by March 16, the first day of the new league year. Cooper is due $20 million in base salary in 2021, but none of it is guaranteed. Dallas could save $16 million against the cap by trading or releasing him.

Following the end of the Cowboys' 2021 campaign, Cooper said he wants to stay with the team in 2022 but wasn't sure of its plans. Dallas traded a first-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Cooper in 2018. He posted 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.

Along with cap considerations, the Cowboys must examine the rest of their receiver room. Four wideouts - Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown, and Malik Turner - are scheduled to become free agents.

Jones offered a more glowing assessment of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who'll count more than $18 million against the cap in 2022.

"I want Zeke on my team," Jones said. "He's a damn good running back, and I think he's going to help us win this year. Obviously, his contract, his money, is guaranteed. He's going to be here, no question. We're fortunate to have him."