Saints make big Brandin Cooks decision as journeyman WR hits waivers

Matt Sullivan

•
Saints make big Brandin Cooks decision as journeyman WR hits waivers image

The New Orleans Saints are 2-8 and are trying to see what they have in Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler at quarterback.

At the trade deadline, their wide receivers were garnering trade interest, but only Rashid Shaheed was traded away. Chris Olave is a mainstay of the offense, but Brandin Cooks didn't have a solid role.

That's why the decision from Cooks and the Saints to mutually part ways after the Week 11 bye is hardly a surprise. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints' wide receiver is being released, and will hit waivers.

Saints, Brandin Cooks mutually agree to part ways

"The Saints and Brandin Cooks have mutually agreed to part ways, according to a source," Underhill reports.

This is a significant move for the Saints and Cooks, as the 32-year-old wide receiver has played 65 percent of the offensive snaps this season. His role is a big one to fill on the offense, making way for the rest of the young wide receiver room to get involved.

In 10 games with the Saints before his release, Cooks had 19 receptions for 165 yards on 25 targets. He didn't score a touchdown, the first season of his NFL career so far without a touchdown. He'll look to get his first score on his new team.

But how he gets to that new team will be an interesting scenario to watch. Cooks signed a two-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, making his placement on waivers a much more tricky one for a team to act on.

More: Chris Olave's contract extension update is great news for Saints fans

If they claim Cooks off waivers, then his new team will be on the hook for what remains of his contract. A team can get out of his contract after the 2025 season, but a team could instead try to risk him passing through waivers and signing him to a cheaper deal to finish out the 2025 season.

With 12 years of experience and playoff experience with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and the Dallas Cowboys, Cooks is an appealing waiver or free agent target.

There are bound to be some teams interested in the veteran journeyman receiver, as his 12 years of NFL experience make for an appealing late-season add. Cooks has to clear waivers to choose his destination, but his contract could allow the veteran receiver to pick where he will finish out his 2025 NFL season.

More Saints News:

Staff Writer