Current Team and Contract
Brandin Cooks currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He joined the Texans ahead of the 2024 season on a one-year deal designed to add veteran depth and route-running ability to the wide receiver corps. The contract includes standard NFL incentives tied to playing time and target volume. Details of the agreement are available on official team and league sources NFL.com.
The Texans positioned Cooks as a complementary slot and boundary option opposite established starters. His role focuses on quick releases, contested catches, and spacing the field for younger receivers. Houston added him to address depth concerns after injuries and performance fluctuations at the wide receiver position during the previous campaign.
Career Path and Previous Teams
Before Houston, Cooks spent the majority of his career with the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and later traded to New Orleans. His time with the Rams included a Super Bowl LVI appearance, where he contributed as a reliable target in the passing game ESPN Bio.
Across his career, Cooks has played for four NFL teams and recorded over 500 receptions for more than 7,000 yards. His ability to maintain production across multiple offenses reflects strong route precision and reliable hands. He has consistently ranked among the top slot receivers in the league during his prime seasons.
Key Statistics and Role
In the 2023 season, Cooks recorded 54 receptions for 711 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games. His yards per catch average and touchdown rate placed him among the more efficient outside receivers in the league that year. These numbers support his continued role as a possession and red-zone threat Pro Football Reference.
With Houston, Cooks is expected to operate primarily as a change-of-pace option in two-receiver sets. Coaches will likely use him in jet sweep alignments, quick-game concepts, and third-down situations where his separation skills are most effective. His veteran presence also provides mentorship for younger wideouts on the roster.
Contract Structure and Financial Impact
The one-year deal with Houston includes a base salary and a signing bonus structured to fit under the team's initial salary cap. Incentive bonuses are tied to receptions, targets, and snaps played during the regular season. The contract does not include a guaranteed injury provision beyond standard league terms OverTheCap.
Financially, the deal allows the Texans to allocate remaining cap space to other key positions such as edge rusher and offensive line. Cooks' veteran minimum salary level means Houston gains experienced production without a long-term commitment. This structure is common for teams adding short-term depth at the wide receiver position.