Brandin Cooks, the veteran wide receiver who was supposed to be a steadying presence for the Saints, has been shown the door. The New Orleans Saints released Cooks on Tuesday, ending a reunion that felt more like an awkward family dinner than a triumphant return. If he clears waivers, he’ll be a free agent, free to find his next, and hopefully more productive, home.
This second chapter of the Cooks-Saints saga was short and frankly, not very sweet. He came back to New Orleans this past offseason on a two-year deal that could have netted him a cool $13 million. The idea was simple: bring a seasoned pro into a young receiver room and give the struggling offense a reliable target. Instead, it was a spectacular misfire. Cooks’ performance was, to put it kindly, underwhelming. He was fifth on the team in receptions.
What Went Wrong For Cooks?
Let’s be real, this Saints offense has been a mess. Bouncing between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback, nobody seemed to find a rhythm, least of all Cooks. Through 10 games, he managed a measly 19 catches for 165 yards and a total of zero touchdowns. That’s not the kind of production that keeps you on the roster, no matter how much they’re paying you.
Cooks himself wasn’t shy about his frustration. Before the trade deadline, he made it known he wasn’t happy with his limited role. You can’t really blame him. Here’s a guy with nearly 10,000 career receiving yards, still believing he can contribute at a high level, and he’s basically a bystander on a 2-8 team. A trade would have been historic, making him the first player ever to be traded five times, but it fell through. With the Saints’ playoff hopes dead and buried, a mutual parting of ways was the only logical next step.
What’s Next For Brandin Cooks and the Saints?
For Cooks, this is a chance to latch on with a contender. At 32, he’s no spring chicken, but he’s got a track record that will have playoff-bound teams kicking the tires. He’s chasing that elusive championship ring, and you can bet he’ll land on his feet somewhere he can actually make an impact.
For the Saints, this is just another move in a full-blown fire sale. Under first-year Head Coach Kellen Moore, the team is in a freefall. They’ve already shipped off Rashid Shaheed and Trevor Penning. Releasing Cooks signals they’re officially waving the white flag on the season and looking toward the 2026 draft. It’s all about evaluating younger talent like Devaughn Vele and Mason Tipton now. The Saints are clearing the deck, and Cooks is the latest piece of furniture to be tossed overboard.
