NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

A report surfaced Sunday that the Cowboys and WR Amari Cooper have not had any contract negotiations this season and that Cooper was likely going to test free agency this offseason. Asked about it, Cooper told reporters that was getting a little ahead of things. 

“I haven’t really thought about that,” Cooper said via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. “I’m not going to put the cart before the horse. We’re still in the season. I haven’t given much thought to it.”

Dallas traded a first-round pick to the Raiders for Cooper in 2018 and he blossomed after his career had apparently hit a snag in Oakland. So far in 2019, Cooper has established himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL in Dallas, with 64 catches, 971 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. 

“I’ve approached the situation like if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Cooper said. “Obviously, I’m more productive here than I was in Oakland, so why would I want to change things?”

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot,” Cooper added. “It’s cool. . . . It just feels good to play here, to live here. I’m happy. . . . I love it here. I want to be here. I just love this situation, my teammates. I just feel it’s the place for me.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that the Cowboys are one of the few NFL job openings Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley could consider leaving for given his relationship with the Jones family that owns the team. 
• Breer also mentions former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer would be interested in the job if Dallas inquires. 
• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer says the Cowboys intend to keep HC Jason Garrett for the rest of the season, but he likely needs to win the Super Bowl to earn an extension. 
• Despite working out three kickers on Sunday, Garrett said the team plans to stick with K Brett Maher: “Those three guys did a nice job for us, but Brett is going to be our kicker going forward.” (Jon Machota)
• Cooper was a full participant in practice Monday: “I feel all right. I feel good. It’s late in the season and everybody is banged up, but I’m good enough to go.” (Michael Gehlken)

Eagles

• According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Eagles will be making significant coaching changes if the team doesn’t make the playoffs this year. 
• Mortensen adds HC Doug Pederson‘s job isn’t necessarily on the line, but owner Jeffery Lurie could force a shake-up among the team’s assistant coaches. 
• NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt writes that OC Mike Groh or DC Jim Schwartz could be names to watch, as well as WR coach Carson Walch, ST coordinator Dave Fipp or secondary coach Corey Undlin. 
• Pederson told reporters there would be no moves to shake up the coaching staff this week. (Jeff McLane)

Giants

As the Giants’ losing streak stretched to eight games on Sunday, Giants HC Pat Shurmur acknowledged he’s heard the growing buzz he might be fired at the end of the season. 

“I’m well aware of it,” Shurmur said via SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. “People will change what they think of us and me when we win games.”

A report connected the Giants to Cowboys HC Jason Garrett if he’s available this offseason — which also is looking more and more likely — meaning Shurmur might need to improve his 7-21 record in New York over the final four games of 2019 to stay on in 2020. Shurmur did point out the Giants are a rebuilding team right now. 

“This is a historically young team that’s going out there and competing against some really good football teams,” Shurmur added. “We’ve got to do what we have to do to win games and I understand that. They also are developing. At some point, we’ll be good enough to win.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes Baylor HC Matt Rhule will be a candidate for any potential Giants head coaching vacancy. 
• Giants first-round rookie QB Daniel Jones twisted his ankle in Sunday’s game, but Shurmur says he should be fine going forward. (Vacchiano)
• Jones said his ankle is sore but that he shouldn’t miss any time: “I think I’ll be good to go.” (Art Stapleton)
• Shurmur said QB Eli Manning is “ready” just in case Jones can’t go. (Jordan Raanan)

Redskins

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes Baylor HC Matt Rhule will be a candidate for any potential Redskins head coaching vacancy. 
• Redskins interim HC Bill Callahan says he’s seen a “huge improvement” from first-round rookie QB Dwayne Haskins recently. (John Keim)