Pro Football Rumors
Despite a resume that includes 734 catches, 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns, wide receiver Brandin Cooks‘ stock is down after a couple of underwhelming seasons. The 32-year-old has been stuck in free agency since the market opened in March, but he expects to take the field for a 13th season in 2026.
In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday, Cooks said there is “no question” he will play this year, adding he will “probably sign before camp.”
While Cooks didn’t indicate which teams have shown interest in him, the six-time 1,000-yard wideout was highly complimentary of Buffalo. Cooks ended 2025 with the Bills, who became his sixth team after the Saints waived him in November, and the sides were still in contact earlier in the offseason. It is unknown if the Bills remain open to re-signing Cooks after trading a second-round pick to the Bears for D.J. Moore and spending a fourth-rounder on rookie Skyler Bell.
Moore and slot target Khalil Shakir are atop the Bills’ depth chart at receiver, while they also count Bell, Josh Palmer, Keon Coleman, Mecole Hardman and Trent Sherfield among their healthy options. Tyrell Shavers‘ status is uncertain as he works back from the torn ACL he suffered in a 27-24 wild-card round win over the Jaguars in January.
Cooks happened to play an important role in the Bills-Jags wild-card game, as his 36-yard catch late in the fourth quarter helped set up the winning touchdown. He finished with three catches for 58 yards in that matchup, and he chipped in two more receptions for 20 yards in the divisional round in Denver. However, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder’s inability to pull in a Josh Allen deep ball in overtime led to the Bills’ demise. Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard reception for Cooks and turned it into an interception. The Bills could have lined up for the winning field had Cooks held on, but the Broncos took possession with the score tied at 30 and went down the field for a 33-30 victory.
Before the playoffs ended in bitter disappointment for Cooks, he trudged through the least productive regular season of his career. When the Saints cut him, he had just 19 receptions for 165 yards in 10 games. He went on to average a hefty 22.8 yards per grab in his five games with the Bills, but he only caught five passes along the way. Between the two teams, Cooks recorded 24 receptions, 279 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games. It was first time he failed to find the end zone in a season.
Cooks also logged subpar numbers during an injury-limited 2024 campaign in Dallas, where he had 26 catches for 259 yards and three scores over 10 games. Now part of a class of free agent receivers that still includes Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel and Tyreek Hill, Cooks will have to settle for an inexpensive deal if he signs anywhere.
