Overview
- Cooks, 32, agreed to a mutual separation with New Orleans and adjusted his deal to make the move workable, according to coach Kellen Moore.
- He must pass through waivers due to the post–trade deadline timing and would be free to sign elsewhere if no team claims his revised contract.
- New Orleans, now 2-8 and resetting its roster, previously dealt Rashid Shaheed and has turned snaps to younger receivers.
- The Saints’ current top options are Chris Olave, Mason Tipton and Devaughn Vele, with Kevin Austin Jr. signed to the active roster and Jha'Quan Jackson added to the practice squad.
- Cooks logged 19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns in 10 games this season, though his career totals stand at 729 catches, 9,697 yards and 60 TDs as contenders are speculated as potential suitors.