The Saints wrapped a physical slog last week and leaned on younger pass-catchers in their latest loss. Now the roster shifts again. New Orleans is parting ways with veteran wideout Brandin Cooks, a move first reported on November 19, 2025, by MySportsUpdate, which cited Saints beat writer Nick Underhill. This change clears cap and roster room, immediately making Cooks a free agent. Expect calls from contenders and sleepers.
“The #Saints are parting ways with WR Brandin Cooks, per @nick_underhill. He will become an FA,” said MySportsUpdate on X.
The #Saints are parting ways with WR Brandin Cooks, per @nick_underhill. He will become a FA. pic.twitter.com/JZEoIrNzYc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 19, 2025
Saints Roster Update Signals Shift As Brandin Cooks Hits Open Market
dallas cowboys brandin cooks
Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
This Saints roster update cleared a roster spot and shifted a veteran onto the open market. On the field, the 32-year-old wideout finished 2025 with 19 catches for 165 yards across 10 games and three starts. Those numbers are modest for a veteran known for pace and separation, but they underscore why New Orleans wanted flexibility. Field Level Media andReuters note Cooks’ season totals and career ledger: 729 receptions for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns as context for what’s now untethered.
Reports indicate that Cooks renegotiated his contract to facilitate the release, a cap- and structure move that alleviated the Saints’ payroll squeeze. That detail came from the same reporting that confirmed his waiver.
Schematically, the team loses a proven separator who still forces coverage decisions on third downs and intermediate crossers. Practically, New Orleans gains roster flexibility to push younger receivers into larger roles or chase a midseason pickup. This is a classic veteran-to-market moment: established production meets declining snap share and the front office prioritizes roster construction.
For Brandin Cooks, the market should react fast. He is a known commodity and is comfortable in multiple systems. He will draw interest from playoff teams needing short-area quickness and special-teams value. The Saints roster update ends one chapter; it also creates a clear selling point for Cooks’ next suitors.
This Saints roster update is about flexibility over form. Expect New Orleans to lean younger and cheaper, and expect the 32-year-old Brandin Cooks to audition for teams that need a polished slot and boundary threat. Agents will work quickly; contenders will circle. For fans, this is less drama than strategy, and now the market decides.