The Buffalo Bills have been involved in pretty much every big NFL storyline over the past few days. Whether it was their crushing 33-30 overtime playoff defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos, the team’s decision to fire head coach Sean McDermott, or team owner Terry Pegula‘s decision to publicly bash Keon Coleman, Buffalo cannot escape the spotlight. When it comes to the team’s loss vs. the Broncos, wide receiver Brandin Cooks is still upset.
Cooks was involved in a controversial play late in Buffalo’s latest playoff meltdown that saw Denver cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian rip what appeared to be a catch right out of his hands. Many folks believe that Cooks should have been awarded a catch, and when speaking on the incident, it’s clear that the veteran pass catcher is still unhappy with what unfolded.
Brandin Cooks is Still Upset About Bills’ Playoff Defeat
Considering how Cooks began the year with the New Orleans Saints, if you told him he would be at the center of attention for a controversial catch ruling in a playoff game as a member of the Bills a couple of months ago, he likely would have called you crazy. Instead, that’s precisely how Cooks’ 2025 campaign came to an end.
On Buffalo’s lone drive in overtime against Denver, quarterback Josh Allen loaded up for a deep pass to Cooks on 3rd & 11 from his own 36-yard line. Initially, it appeared as if Cooks came down with the football, but when both he and McMillian got back up, it was the Broncos’ cornerback who had the football. A quick review showed that Cooks lost control as he went to the ground, allowing McMillian to pry the ball away and record an interception.
The ruling that Cooks did not survive the ground on his catch attempt is what allowed this interception to stand. That has made many folks in Buffalo upset, including Cooks, who believes he caught the football. While the ruling irritates him still, Cooks also revealed he wasn’t particularly happy with the amount of time the league took to look at this play.
“At the end of the day, it was a catch, not just what it looked like, but what it felt like,” Cooks said on “Good Morning Football.” “When you look back at it, the time that was spent on it to review it wasn’t enough. Given the magnitude of that game and the situation, it’s a little disappointing.”
Brandin Cooks, Bills Look Ahead to 2026 Campaign
GettyBroncos’ Ja’Quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks in overtime during the AFC Divisional Playoff game.
Regardless of what Cooks thinks about the play, nothing can be done to change the outcome of this game. The NFL may look to clarify its ruling on catches over the offseason, but ultimately, Cooks’ inability to hold onto the football for longer is what led to this not being ruled a catch. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes.
What the future holds for Cooks is unknown at this stage of the game. He has proven he still has some gas left in the tank, but right now, the Bills’ primary goal involves finding a new head coach after they fired McDermott. Once that is done, the team will likely check in on Cooks and see if he’s interested in re-signing with them in free agency.
Brandin Cooks Bashes NFL Over Controversial Catch Ruling in Loss to Broncos