The Buffalo Bills made a quiet but potentially pivotal move on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, signing 32-year-old veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks just hours after he cleared waivers following his release from the New Orleans Saints. The deal, undisclosed in financial terms, brings a proven playmaker into a receiving corps struggling for consistency — and could be the spark Buffalo Bills need to keep their playoff hopes alive in the final stretch of the 2024 season.
Why the Saints Let Go
It wasn’t a dramatic fall from grace, but a quiet unraveling. Cooks, drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2014, spent his first three NFL seasons there before becoming the league’s most traded receiver. He’s now on his sixth team. This season, he caught just 19 passes for 165 yards and no touchdowns in 10 games. His lone reception of note? A 21-yard grab in Week 6 against the New England Patriots — his longest play of the year. He didn’t even get a target in his final game with New Orleans. The Saints, sitting at 3-8, chose to move on rather than risk a dead cap hit next season. He’d signed a two-year deal in March, but with the team out of contention and younger players like Rashid Shaheed emerging, Cooks became expendable.
Buffalo’s Need Was Real
Meanwhile, in Orchard Park, New York, the Buffalo Bills were watching their offense sputter. Quarterback Josh Allen has thrown for under 215 yards in five of his 11 starts this season. After a rough loss to the Houston Texans, he threw two interceptions and looked out of rhythm. The top receiver, Khalil Shakir, has 54 catches for 564 yards — solid, but not a true No. 1. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, the team’s leading touchdown catcher with four, is out with a hamstring injury. Second-round pick Keon Coleman, who had 32 receptions, was a healthy scratch for two straight games. The offense needed a veteran presence — someone who’s been in big moments before.
A Career of Movement, Now a Playoff Push
Cooks’ journey reads like a who’s who of NFL franchises: New Orleans Saints (2014–2016), New England Patriots (2017), Los Angeles Rams (2018–2019), Houston Texans (2020–2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023), and now Buffalo Bills. He’s got 729 career receptions for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns. He’s 303 yards away from 10,000 — a milestone only 47 receivers in NFL history have reached. That’s not just stats — it’s legacy.
He’s played in the Super Bowl. He’s been a Pro Bowler. He’s caught passes from Drew Brees, Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott — and now, Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills aren’t just adding a receiver. They’re adding experience. A guy who knows how to run a route under pressure, who can get open in the slot, who’s seen every coverage in the book.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
The Buffalo Bills are 7-4. They’re in the thick of the AFC East race, but the New England Patriots are breathing down their neck, and the Houston Texans just handed them their worst loss of the year. With four games left — including matchups against the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts — they need a spark. Cooks doesn’t need time to learn the system. He’s been in high-pressure offenses his entire career. His chemistry with Allen could develop in days, not weeks.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the signing immediately after waivers cleared. NFL.com called it a “sturdy up” move — a subtle but smart upgrade. The Buffalo Bills didn’t overpay. They didn’t trade a draft pick. They picked up a veteran who’s still got something to prove. And now, he’s got a shot at the playoffs — his first since 2021.
What’s Next?
Cooks will likely see his first snaps against the New England Patriots on December 1. He’ll wear No. 12 — the same number he wore in New Orleans. The Bills’ coaching staff will test him in the slot, on crossing routes, and on third downs. If he can deliver even one big play — a 30-yard catch on a critical drive — he’ll earn his place in Buffalo’s postseason lore.
And if he hits that 10,000-yard mark? He’ll join the likes of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, and Calvin Johnson. For a guy who’s been traded five times, that’s not just a number — it’s validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the New Orleans Saints release Brandin Cooks after just eight months?
The Saints released Cooks because he was no longer a fit for their rebuild. Despite signing a two-year deal in March 2024, he produced only 19 catches for 165 yards in 10 games. With younger receivers like Rashid Shaheed stepping up and the team out of playoff contention, New Orleans opted to free up cap space and roster flexibility rather than carry a veteran with declining production.
How does Brandin Cooks’ addition change the Buffalo Bills’ offensive strategy?
Cooks adds a veteran route-runner who excels in the slot and on intermediate crosses — areas where the Bills have lacked consistency. With Dalton Kincaid injured and Keon Coleman inactive, Cooks gives Josh Allen a reliable target in high-leverage situations. His experience in West Coast and vertical schemes means he can adapt quickly, potentially unlocking more play-action and timing-based throws.
Is this Cooks’ last NFL stop?
It could be. At 32, with 12 seasons and over 9,600 career receiving yards, Cooks is nearing the end. But he’s still physically capable — he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine and still has elite route precision. If the Bills make a deep playoff run, he may return for a 13th season. If not, retirement is likely. Either way, he’s playing for legacy now.
What’s the significance of Cooks joining his sixth NFL team?
Cooks is now the most-traded wide receiver in NFL history, surpassing even players like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss. His ability to adapt quickly to new systems speaks to his professionalism and football IQ. Only a handful of players have played for six teams and still produced at a high level — this move shows he’s not just surviving, he’s still contributing when it matters most.
Can Brandin Cooks reach 10,000 career receiving yards?
Yes — and he’s only 303 yards away. With four games left in the regular season, he’d need to average 76 yards per game. Given his track record — he’s had six 1,000-yard seasons — it’s plausible. If he gets even one 40-yard catch, he could hit the milestone by Week 18. Only 47 players in NFL history have reached that mark. He’d be the 12th receiver to do it after turning 32.
Why didn’t the New England Patriots re-sign him?
The Patriots have a deep, young receiving group with Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas — all of whom are younger and cheaper. With Drake Maye as the new QB, they’re prioritizing long-term development over veteran stopgaps. Cooks, despite his history with the team, didn’t fit their current timeline — and they didn’t need him.