Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks is now a late-season free agent after “mutually agreeing” to part ways with the New Orleans Saints, per beat writer Nick Underhill. Because it is past the trade deadline, Cooks is subject to waivers and can be claimed by any team. If he passes through waivers, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
The Saints and Brandin Cooks have mutually agreed to part ways, according to a source. Cooks will be a free agent
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 19, 2025
In theory, Cooks could be an option as a late-season addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have long been in the wide receiver market and were actively calling teams ahead of this month’s trade deadline, though Omar Khan was unable to land any deal. If Pittsburgh is looking to add to its options, Cooks becomes one of the top names available.
The Steelers reportedly had talks with the Saints around the deadline, though they may have had more interest in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Olave stayed put while Shaheed was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks for a pair of Day Three selections.
Still plenty fast even at 32, Cooks struggled to make an impact in New Orleans. In ten games this season, he caught 19 passes for 165 yards and zero touchdowns. It’s the least productive season of his long career and could be the first in which he doesn’t find the end zone.
For his career, Cooks has caught 729 passes for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns.
After failing to make a trade, the Steelers signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad. He’s yet to be elevated in his two weeks since joining the team, but could be a late-season option to boost Pittsburgh’s passing game. His history with QB Aaron Rodgers as teammates in Green Bay helped bring him to Pittsburgh. That makes adding Cooks less likely. But Calvin Austin III has regressed and Pittsburgh’s receivers have had trouble getting open in recent weeks. That could compel the Steelers to add as many receivers as possible to see who sticks.
Any team who claims Cooks assumes his contract. His base salary is just $1.260 million and any claiming team would only owe him what’s left on his deal, making for a very small number to assume.
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