NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have decided to release veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The team made the announcement on Wednesday, indicating he will enter free agency if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
In a related move, the Saints signed wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. from their practice squad. This decision follows a lackluster season for Cooks, who managed just 19 receptions for 165 yards and didn’t score any touchdowns.
At 32, Cooks had returned to the Saints this year with a two-year contract worth up to $13 million. However, he didn’t make a significant impact, finishing fifth on the team for receptions. His contract included incentives based on performance metrics, but he failed to meet any of them this season.
Drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft, Cooks had previously been traded to the New England Patriots in 2017. Over 12 seasons, he has amassed 729 receptions for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns, showcasing his talent throughout his career. Interestingly, he is the second wide receiver to leave the Saints this season, following Rashid Shaheed’s move to the Seattle Seahawks at the trade deadline.
Looking ahead, the Saints will need to refocus their strategy in the receiving corps. With rising stars like Chris Olave and potential additions through free agency, the team’s offense may undergo significant changes. Fans and analysts alike are curious to see how these decisions will shape the team’s future performance in the coming seasons.
Overall, Cooks’s departure signals a turning point for the Saints. As the NFL continues to evolve, teams must make tough choices to stay competitive. Recent studies show that teams engaging in timely roster adjustments have a better chance of maintaining a strong performance record over the season.
Brandin Cooks’s journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional sports. As he seeks a new opportunity, fans will be watching closely to see where the next chapter of his career leads.
