The New Orleans Saints reunite with another former player in free agency.
The Saints and veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks have agreed to terms on a contract, as first reported by Nick Underhill. The team has since announced the move. It's a two-year deal worth $13 million.
In 2024, the deep-threat receiver brought in 26 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns.
Cooks, 31, has played 11 seasons in the NFL, starting his career in New Orleans. The speedster accumulated 2,861 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns with the Saints in his three seasons before he was traded to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick. The Saints would use that pick to draft All-Pro tackle Ryan Ramcyzk.
Cooks is tied with NFL legend Eric Dickerson for being involved in the most trades in NFL history. After being traded from the Saints, Cooks would play just one season with the Patriots before being traded again for a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams.
The veteran receiver would have a successful tenure with the Rams before being shipped off to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick. Finally, in 2021 Cooks was involved in his last trade, heading to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth and sixth-round draft pick.
The Saints receiver room suffered a barrage of injuries during the 2024 season revealing the team's lack of depth at the position. While New Orleans has been connected to various rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding a veteran presence to their young core is only beneficial. However, the addition of Cooks won't stop the Saints from using early draft picks to acquire another pass catcher as the team still needs to add a middle-of-the-field and red-zone threat.
Over his career, Cooks has pulled in 710 receptions for 9,532 yards and 60 touchdowns. Although a journeyman, the speedy wide receiver has consistently been a valued piece in the league, having been traded for a total of two first-round picks, a second-round pick, a third-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and two sixth-round picks.
