Saints Sign Brandin Cooks to Two-Year Deal

The New Orleans Saints have signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks to a two-year, $13 million contract, marking his return to the team that drafted him in 2014. Cooks, now 31, is coming off a season with the Dallas Cowboys where he recorded his career lows in catches and yards due to injuries. Although Cooks has a history of success, including six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, critics argue that this signing could hinder the development of younger receivers like Bub Means Jr. and is not aligned with the Saints' supposed rebuilding strategy. ESPN's Seth Walder graded the move poorly, suggesting it does not make sense for a team not expected to contend in the near future. Despite the skepticism, the Saints are optimistic about Cooks' impact as they seek to bolster their receiving corps alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Cooks' experience is viewed as a valuable asset, even if his on-field contributions might be limited.