NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

The Cowboys were in a tough position with WR Amari Cooper this offseason and ended up having to fend off the Redskins to sign him to a five-year, $100 million deal that puts Cooper squarely in the elite tier of receivers as far as compensation. Other NFL evaluators question whether Cooper’s on-field production matches his new salary, though. 

“It comes back down to, how many guys are really difference makers?” an anonymous NFL executive said via Mike Sando of the Athletic. “That is who you pay the top of the market to. I’m sorry, Amari Cooper helps, but he does not tilt the field. He has not shown up consistently. You can say a lot of negative things about Antonio Brown, but he was a difference maker.”

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that a crucial aspect in the Cowboys’ negotiations with QB Dak Prescott is the amount of guaranteed money paid out in the first two years and the number of years in the deal.
• Fowler says Prescott prefers a shorter deal in order to take advantage of a future salary cap spike due to the new collective bargaining agreement.
• Cowboys S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix‘s one-year, $3.75 million deal includes a $1.25 million signing bonus and $1 million of his $2.25 million salary is guaranteed. He can earn up to $250 in per-game active roster bonus, another $250,000 in playoffs/playtime incentives to go along with a $250,000 workout base salary de-escalator. (Aaron Wilson)
• Cowboys WR C.J. Goodwin‘s one-year, $1.047 million deal includes a $137,500 signing bonus and $200,000 of his $910,000 base salary is guaranteed. (Wilson)
• Cowboys K Greg Zuerlein‘s three-year, $7.5 million deal includes a $1 million signing bonus and a guaranteed $1.25 million salary in 2020 to go along with non-guaranteed salaries of $2.25M in 2021-2022. He can earn $250,000 in per-game active roster bonuses over the next three years to go along with an annual $250,000 workout base de-escalator. (Wilson)

Eagles

• According to ESPN’s Tim McManus, contract talks between the Eagles and TE Zach Ertz have gone quiet since November. Philadelphia signed OT Lane Johnson and G Brandon Brooks to extensions around then but was not able to come to an agreement with Ertz. 
• McManus says it’s interesting to look at Ertz’s comments after the Eagles’ season ended in January with that context: “The fact of the matter is that no one knows what’s going to happen, with me or with anyone. Probably the only one who knows for sure is Carson [Wentz]. So it’s been an incredible seven years for me here. I want to be here forever. And whatever they decide, they’re going to decide, but it’s been a heck of a run.”
• Both Ertz and TE Dallas Goedert remain under contract with the Eagles through the 2021 season. The market for tight ends has moved to $11 million per year and should go higher once 49ers TE George Kittle and Chiefs TE Travis Kelce sign new deals. 
• Eagles OLB Jatavis Brown‘s one-year, $1.047 million deal includes a $50,000 signing bonus and $50,000 of his $910,000 base salary is guaranteed. He can earn $87,500 if he is on the active roster for the first game of the 2020 season. (Aaron Wilson)

Giants

• Per SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, new Giants QB Colt McCoy is committed to his role as a backup for QB Daniel Jones: “You guys know the structure: Daniel Jones is the starting quarterback. … I’ve been a starter. Everyone wants to be a starter. But I’m confident I bring value to that quarterback room.” 

Redskins

• Redskins CB Kendall Fuller said Rivera was a major draw in signing back with Washington but his first stint with the team was also a positive factor. (JP Finlay)
• Fuller said he hasn’t yet discussed with the staff what his role will be. He’s played both slot and outside corner in the past: “I’m just excited to show my talent and know that I can play anywhere on the field at a high level.” (Finlay)
• Fuller’s agents had some discussions with the Redskins at the Combine but he didn’t see them as an option until they actually put an offer on the table. (Finlay)
• New Redskins S Sean Davis believes he’ll slot in at free safety for Washington. (Finlay) 
• Davis called it a “no-brainer” to come home and sign in Washington. He went to college at Maryland nearby. (John Keim)
• Redskins DE Nate Orchard signed a one-year, $1.047 million that includes a $137,500 signing bonus and a veteran salary benefit. (Aaron Wilson)
• Redskins RB Peyton Barber‘s contract is for two years, $3 million including a $600,000 signing bonus. It also includes a $150,000 maximum roster bonus per game active in 2020 and a $199,750 maximum per game active roster bonus 2021. (Wilson)