Brandin Cooks Joins the New Orleans Saints After Cowboys Departure
The Dallas Cowboys have experienced several notable departures in free agency, and now they can add Brandin Cooks to the list. The veteran wide receiver has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, marking a reunion with the team that originally drafted him in 2014, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Cooks’ Departure from Dallas
Cooks’ exit from the Cowboys seemed almost inevitable following his public comments about his role in Mike McCarthy’s offense. Despite being open to returning, Cooks made it clear that the Cowboys didn’t utilize him to his strengths, which likely contributed to his decision to move on. Over his two-year stint in Dallas, Cooks recorded 80 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns in 26 games. While Cooks showed flashes of his former self, he hasn’t reached 1,000 receiving yards since 2021 and has seen a decline in his production over the last few seasons.
A Return to New Orleans
The Saints are a natural fit for Cooks, given his history with the team. The Oregon State product was drafted by New Orleans in the first round in 2014 and had an impressive three-year stint, tallying nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. After stints with the Patriots and Texans, Cooks now returns to the team where he once thrived, hoping to rekindle his form under head coach Kellen Moore.
Although Cooks and Moore didn’t work together in Dallas, with Moore departing as the offensive coordinator just before Cooks’ arrival, Cooks’ skill set should fit well in Moore’s offense. The Saints’ attack, hampered by injuries in 2024, could benefit from Cooks’ experience and playmaking ability.
The Cowboys’ Next Move
With Cooks’ departure, the Cowboys are likely to focus on finding a new WR2 in the NFL Draft. Cooks’ exit adds urgency to the Cowboys’ search for a reliable second receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb and contribute to the offense in the upcoming season.