ESPN: Former Cowboys wide receiver already regretting his decision.
After a new teammate unexpectedly retired, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who recently departed the Lone Star State is probably regretting his offseason choice.
When NFL free agency started in March, the Dallas Cowboys bid farewell to a number of senior players, including veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. After two seasons, the 31-year-old wide receiver departed Lone Star State to sign a two-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, rejoining the team that selected him more than ten years prior.
Homecomings often help athletes who need a new beginning, but after hearing the news on Saturday, Cooks’ trip back to New Orleans just took a turn for the worse.
After Derek Carr retires, former Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks will regret joining the Saints.
After 11 NFL seasons, Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement on Saturday. The 34-year-old signal-caller has performed well since relocating to New Orleans a few years ago, but recent injuries are ending his career, leaving Cooks and the Saints without a quarterback.
It isn’t hard to figure out why Cooks wants to join the Saints (other than the homecoming factor). Carr’s recent success undoubtedly weighed into the ex-Cowboys WR’s choice, especially after the former Fresno State Bulldog completed 68.2% of throws for 6,023 passing yards, 40 touchdowns (to 13 interceptions), and a 98.8 passer rating in 27 starts with New Orleans.
Cooks and the rest of the WR room’s output will be hampered by the Saints’ huge question mark at center.
Spencer Rattler, a former 2024 150th-overall pick, most definitely didn’t appear to be a starting quarterback the previous season. The 24-year-old gunslinger finished with a 57.0% completion percentage, 1,317 passing yards, four touchdowns to five interceptions, and a 70.4 passer rating while leading the Saints to a 0–6 record in six starts last season.
Jake Haener, whose upside isn’t much better, is next on the depth chart. After going 4-of-10 for 49 yards and an interception in Week 15 versus the Washington Commanders, the former 2023 fourth-round pick was benched and replaced by Rattler, demonstrating that Haener is also not prepared for the limelight.
Tyler Shough, a 2025 second-round pick, will therefore probably start for the Saints in Week 1. Following a stellar season with the Louisville Cardinals, the 26-year-old rookie will have to demonstrate if he is an NFL-caliber starter when organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp get underway.
No matter who the Saints end up starting, it’s evident that Cooks will have an uphill climb to return to form. The ex-Cowboys playmaker’s output dropped as injuries accumulated during his stint in Dallas, resulting in an 80-916-11 stat line in 26 games spanning the final two seasons.
Carr’s unexpected resignation further solidified the Saints’ reputation as a work in progress. Even if it wasn’t what the former Cowboys wide out anticipated when he signed his contract, Cooks and the other wideouts in New Orleans now have the responsibility of making the next quarterback’s job as simple as possible.
