Cowboys: Brandin Cooks can't wait to get started
The Dallas Cowboys needed another weapon in the passing game, and last weekend they got it by trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. This wasn't the first time Dallas tried to get the talents of Cooks to join their roster. Before last year's trade deadline, the Cowboys tried to bring Cooks, unsuccessfully, of course. In […]
The Dallas Cowboys needed another weapon in the passing game, and last weekend they got it by trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
This wasn't the first time Dallas tried to get the talents of Cooks to join their roster. Before last year's trade deadline, the Cowboys tried to bring Cooks, unsuccessfully, of course.
In this case, the second time was the charm, and Cooks couldn't be happier.
"Better late than never. I'm extremely excited. …I think it's going to be a special place," Cooks said.
During his three seasons with the Texans, Cooks only experienced 11 wins which included a 3-13-1 record in 2022.
Cooks now joins a Cowboys team that has won 12 games for two consecutive seasons and has established itself as a legitimate contender in NFC, which the 10-year veteran is eager to play with.
"I couldn't be hungrier," said Cooks. "The last three years, it is what it is. …Definitely feeling the fire and that hunger to come out here and …help my team win. I can't wait. I truly can't."
Cooks might be knocking on the door of 30, but he's still a very capable receiver with versatility and speed, with the latter being something the Cowboys desperately needed in their aerial assault.
With Cooks in the mix, it takes some of the responsibilities in the slot off of CeeDee Lamb, and it will also open up more one-on-one opportunities for him as well as a healthy Michael Gallup with his ability to stretch the field vertically and horizontally.
It creates quite a three-headed attack from the wide receiver spot in Dallas, and Cooks likes where he fits into the equation.
“I’m extremely excited. I think it’s a great fit. … I’m going to push (the other WRs) and they’re going to push me. … I just look forward to getting started," said Cooks.
Nothing is more important for a receiver than his connection with his quarterback. As soon as the Cowboys acquired Cooks, Dak Prescott reached out to the speedster, and the building blocks for great chemistry began to be laid.
“He was excited. He said he can’t wait to get to work," Cooks said. "He said he has a lot of respect for my game. He said he’s looking forward to having me as part of the group.”
Cooks wasn't the only player the Cowboys got via trade last week.
Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore was brought to join All-Pro Trevon Diggs, rising star DaRon Bland, and ball-hawking veteran Jourdan Lewis. However, he's very familiar with Cooks.
Gilmore and Cooks were teammates with the New England Patriots in 2017. While it was only for one season, the two built a strong bond in that short amount of time to the point they were like best friends.
"We literally talked, realistically, every single day during the offseason," Cooks said.
Familiarity is certainly a way to make Cooks feel at home with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys got Cooks for only a 2023 fifth-round pick and sixth-round pick next year, and they have restructured his deal to make it team friendly while he still gets his money.
This was a win-win for both sides. Now, it's just about Cooks cashing in on the field.
