The New Orleans Saints have granted wide receiver Brandin Cooks his request to be released from the team, marking the end of his second stint with the franchise.
Cooks has mentioned that he would like to join a playoff team, which would allow him to compete for his first Super Bowl ring. He was close to winning one with the New England Patriots back in the 2017-18 season, but lost 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooks had 23 receiving yards on one catch in the game before ultimately leaving the game with a head injury in the second quarter.
Now able to pick a spot in which he thinks he will have the best chance to win, a team he formerly
The New Orleans Saints’ season was off from the start, as they were dealing with uncertainty at the quarterback spot, leaving the receiving threats’ performances in limbo this season.
Cooks has not had his best season, with him having the third most receiving yards among the other receivers and the fifth most among all catching threats for the Saints. On just 19 receptions this season, the wide receiver has 165 yards without a touchdown.
Looking to be on a contender, those numbers could likely increase.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles names the Los Angeles Rams as a possible landing spot for the now-free agent wide receiver.
“Reunion time! Cooks played for Sean McVay’s Rams in 2018 and 2019, and more than half a decade later, he could prove a helpful addition for another ring-chasing McVay team,” Pereles wrote.
“Los Angeles has two tremendous receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but the returns have been disappointing further down the depth chart. Tutu Atwell is on IR and Jordan Whittington has 13 catches in 10 games. The Rams lean heavily into formations with three tight ends, but McVay could want more formational flexibility and more reliability from his depth receivers. Cooks could provide that.”
When Brandin Cooks spent his two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Jared Goff was the quarterback behind the center.
In the 2018 season with Goff as his quarterback, Cooks had his best receiving yard season as a professional. The wide receiver hauled in 1,204 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Rams that season.
Now, if he were to sign with the Rams, he would have Matthew Stafford as his QB.
Stafford has been playing like an MVP candidate and will likely get Brandin Cooks looking like he did in the 2018 season.
The Rams could use a third major receiving target and there is no better option than someone who knows the system that head coach Sean McVay runs.
With not too much to learn about the offense, this puts Cooks in a good spot to win his first Super Bowl.
