Getty Image / Cooper Neill
Back in November, many around the football world were expecting the Houston Texans to trade Brandin Cooks.
The team was once again struggling, he carried a large price tag for the rest of his contract, and he had expressed his interest in a trade.
Unfortunately, the team had an unrealistic team and Cooks remained with the team where he continued to struggle for the rest of the year before a strong Week 18 performance to remind other teams what he is capable of.
Early on in the NFL offseason it looks like Cooks may finally get his wish.
According to Texans reporter Aaron Wilson, the player and team are working on fulfilling Cooks’ trade request and he has been receiving plenty of interest.
No deal imminent or developing, sources emphasized, but there's plenty of interest in #Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks via a potential trade. Cooks has reiterated this offseason his desire to change teams and join a playoff contender. Process continues @KPRC2 https://t.co/PtIprod5bF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 28, 2023
Moving Cooks at the deadline would have been right move. His trade value will only drop the older he gets and continuing to struggle with Davis Mills and Kyle Allen throwing him the ball probably didn’t help his value either.
At least they are going to get something done for him this offseason. Keeping him around wouldn’t make very much sense. The Houston Texans will be better off bringing in young receivers to play alongside whoever they draft at quarterback and allowing them to develop together.
Wherever Cooks ends up, he should be a strong addition to their group of pass catchers. He had reached 1000 yards in 6 of his last 7 seasons before a disappointing 2022.
He may not be a WR1 at this point in his career, but any team that can make him their 2nd option would have a strong receiver corps.
There are plenty of teams that need to improve at the position during the 2023 offseason and that should make it easy for Brandin Cooks to find a new home.