Patriots Rumors: Brandin Cooks a viable No. 1 option for Mac Jones
It’s no secret what the New England Patriots need to improve their dreadful 2022 offense: a true number one wide receiver.
Now, there are some intriguing names out there. Deandre Hopkins has been a name that’s been flown around in trade talks. Keenan Allen is a potential cut that could end up finding a new team. Even Deebo Samuel is a name that the Patriots are “sniffing around” at to improve their offense.
Another name that is very enticing and realistic to get is Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks.
Cooks has made it very clear that he’d like a change of scenery from his current situation in Houston. So maybe, the Patriots could be in play to make a trade for the veteran wide receiver.
New England Patriots getting a familiar wide receiver in Brandin Cooks
The good thing about the Patriots, specifically Bill Belichick, is that he loves guys that are familiar with the Patriots system. Brandin Cooks is certainly familiar with the Patriots as he spent the 2017 season in New England, before getting injured in a Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
In his one regular season with the Patriots in 2017, the 5’10 receiver actually put up some decent numbers. He had 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns.
Now I understand that he was playing with Tom Brady during that season. But numbers are numbers. If Cooks out up those numbers with that Patriots team, imagine what he could put up being the main target?
New England Patriots dealing with Brandin Cooks contract
As good of a player as Brandin Cooks can be, the Patriots would have to figure out his contract situation.
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Cooks signed a two year deal for nearly $40 million with the Texans. He has a potential out in 2024 with about an $8 million cap hit. As far as next season is concerned, the Texans would take a $26 million cap hit.
This is where the Patriots can come in and take advantage. We know that Bill Belichick is the king of restructuring contracts. So who’s to say he couldn’t do it with the current Texans receiver’s contract?
Restructure it so some of the salary can be converted to a signing bonus. We’ve seen it happen before and it can happen again. Plus, remember this fans: the Pats have one of the highest cap spaces heading into the free agency frenzy in March. A trade for Cooks would help with smaller signings in free agency.
The thought of Brandin Cooks being in New England should be more realistic than people might think at the moment. Because guess what fans? This is a move that could very realistically happen!
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It all depends on how badly the Patriots want to improve their offense. Do they want a top receiver that they might not have to break the bank for? If I’m the Pats, I definitely would!
So if you don’t want the Samuel, Allen, or Hopkins of the world; Brandin Cooks is sitting in his house somewhere waiting for a new opportunity. New England is that opportunity. Bring “cookie” back!