The New Orleans Saints have made the decision to release veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, as announced on Wednesday.
Cooks, who joined the Saints on a two-year contract worth up to $13 million in March, did not have a significant impact on the team’s offense this season.
The 32-year-old player finished fifth on the team in receptions during the first half of the season. His contract included incentives based on receptions, touchdowns, playing time, and receiving yards, but he failed to meet any of them.
Cooks recorded 19 receptions for 165 yards and zero touchdowns.Brandin Cooks, quien tuvo 19 recepciones para 165 yardas y ningún touchdown esta temporada, es liberado por los Saints.If Cooks is not claimed on waivers, he will become a free agent.
In a corresponding move, the Saints have signed wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. from their practice squad.
Cooks was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2014 draft and was later traded to the New England Patriots in the 2017 offseason. Throughout his 12 seasons in the NFL, he has 729 receptions for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Cooks is the second Saints wide receiver to leave the team this season, after Rashid Shaheed was transferred to the Seattle Seahawks at the trade deadline.
