The New Orleans Saints officially waived veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks on , but his release remains stuck in legal limbo — not because of performance, but because of a handshake deal gone sideways. Cooks, 32, requested his release to join a playoff contender, and the Saints agreed… as long as he forfeited the remaining $5.2 million of his 2025 salary. The catch? The paperwork hasn’t cleared. For now, he’s neither here nor there — a ghost on the roster, still technically a Saint, but no longer part of the game plan.
Why This Isn’t Just a Roster Move
This isn’t your typical cut. Most veteran releases are clean: a player is waived, claims are reviewed, and if no team picks him up, he becomes a free agent. But Cooks’ situation is messy. According to multiple sources, including Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Saints and Cooks reached an agreement: he’d give up his remaining salary in exchange for an early exit. That’s not unusual — players do it to clear cap space and move on. But the NFL’s administrative systems don’t always move as fast as human agreements. The league’s payroll office reportedly flagged the termination language as non-standard, delaying the official release. New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore admitted as much during his Wednesday presser: “It took a few days just to kind of go through that process… his contract was kind of adjusted.” Translation: paperwork’s still being typed.Meanwhile, Cooks sat out the Saints’ 17-7 win over the Carolina Panthers on November 17 — his first game without a target since Week 1. He had 19 catches for 165 yards in 10 games this season, a far cry from his prime. But that’s not why he’s leaving. It’s about timing. The Saints (2-8) are done for the year. Cooks, who’s played for four teams since leaving New Orleans in 2017, still has the speed and route precision to be a deep threat. He’s got six 1,000-yard seasons. He holds the NFL record for hitting that mark with three consecutive teams. He’s not done.
The Saints’ Receiving Corps Is Now a Youth Movement
With Cooks gone — eventually — the Saints are betting on youth. Chris Olave, their 2022 first-round pick, is the undisputed No. 1. But behind him? A patchwork of unproven talent. Mason Tipton, Ronnie Bell, and newly signed Kevin Austin Jr. will see increased snaps. Jha'Quan Jackson joined the practice squad as depth. Trey Palmer, the team’s other promising young receiver, remains on IR with a hamstring injury from October.It’s a stark shift from last season, when Cooks was the veteran anchor. Now, the Saints are running drills with players who’ve never caught a pass in a meaningful game. That’s fine if you’re rebuilding. Less fine if you’re trying to win next week.
Who Wants Cooks? Playoff Teams Are Watching
The real story isn’t what’s happening in New Orleans — it’s what’s happening in Baltimore, Kansas City, and San Francisco.Three playoff contenders, all with thin receiver rooms, are reportedly monitoring Cooks’ waiver status. The Baltimore Ravens, who lost Zay Flowers to injury, could use his vertical threat. The Kansas City Chiefs, with Travis Kelce retired and JuJu Smith-Schuster aging, are looking for a reliable No. 2. And the San Francisco 49ers, who’ve been relying on rookie Jordan Mason and a fading Deebo Samuel, need someone who can stretch the field.
“He’s still got it,” said one NFL scout who spoke anonymously. “He doesn’t run 4.3 anymore, but his route discipline? That’s elite. He knows how to get open in traffic. Teams don’t just want speed — they want guys who can make plays when the game’s on the line.”
What’s Next for Cooks — and the Saints
The waiver clock runs 24 hours. If no team claims him, he’ll become a free agent — but only after the Saints finalize the salary forfeiture paperwork. Sources say that’s expected within 48 hours. Once cleared, Cooks will be free to sign with any team. He won’t need to wait for a trade. He won’t need to wait for a draft pick. He’ll just walk into a locker room with a new jersey.For the Saints, the move saves roughly $2.6 million in 2026 cap space — a small win in a season defined by losses. But the bigger win? Letting a respected veteran go on his own terms. Cooks didn’t demand a trade. He didn’t hold out. He asked to leave, and the Saints honored it. That kind of respect matters — even in a 2-8 season.
On Sunday, November 24, 2025, the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Without Cooks, the offense will look different. Faster. Younger. Riskier. Whether that’s enough to keep them competitive is another question. But one thing’s certain: wherever Cooks lands next, he’ll bring more than just a jersey. He’ll bring experience. And in a league full of rookies, that’s still worth something.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t Brandin Cooks been officially released yet?
Although the Saints announced his waiver on November 19, 2025, contractual paperwork related to Cooks agreeing to forfeit the remaining $5.2 million of his 2025 salary is still being processed by the NFL’s payroll system. This administrative delay has temporarily frozen his release, even though both parties have verbally agreed to the terms.
Which teams are most likely to sign Brandin Cooks?
The Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers are all reportedly interested. Each has depth concerns at wide receiver and needs a proven deep threat — exactly what Cooks offers, even at 32. His 11 touchdowns with Dallas in 2023-24 prove he’s still effective in red-zone situations.
How did Cooks perform this season with the Saints?
In 10 games during the 2025 season, Cooks recorded 19 receptions for 165 yards and zero touchdowns, averaging just 8.7 yards per catch. He was the No. 3 receiver behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed before Shaheed was traded to Seattle. His final game saw zero targets, signaling his reduced role in the offense.
What does this mean for the Saints’ future?
The Saints are accelerating their rebuild. With Cooks gone, younger receivers like Kevin Austin Jr., Mason Tipton, and Ronnie Bell will get more reps. The team also gained about $2.6 million in 2026 salary cap space by releasing him early. While this won’t fix their 2-8 record, it signals a long-term shift toward developing talent rather than relying on aging veterans.
Is this the end of Brandin Cooks’ NFL career?
Absolutely not. Cooks has six 1,000-yard seasons across four teams and holds the NFL record for achieving that milestone with three consecutive franchises. At 32, he’s not past his prime — he’s in the sweet spot for a slot/deep threat role. Teams with playoff aspirations will value his experience, route-running, and consistency more than raw speed.
Why did Cooks want to leave the Saints?
Cooks, a 12-year veteran, reportedly asked for his release to join a team with playoff hopes. The Saints were 2-8 and out of contention, while he still believes he can contribute to a contender. He’s played for six teams and never won a Super Bowl — this may be his last realistic shot. The Saints, understanding his ambition, agreed to a clean exit.