The Buffalo Bills brought in Brandin Cooks midseason, and he made an immediate impact.
Cooks became the team’s top receiver for the final weeks of the regular season, and the Bills showed interest in him re-signing. Yet, no deal has been signed, and now Bills analyst Brandon Ray of FanSided predicts Cooks will sign with Buffalo’s heated rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Brandin Cooks signed with the Bills late last season to try and give a spark to the wide receiver room,” Ray wrote. “It took him a little bit to get adjusted, but he did make some solid plays in the playoffs for Buffalo.
“If he does indeed want to continue his NFL career, the Chiefs could use more wide receiver help to surround Patrick Mahomes. Cooks isn’t in his prime anymore, but can still provide a little bit of value.”
Cooks was an impact receiver for the Bills last season, as he recorded 5 receptions for 114 yards. In the playoffs, he had 5 receptions for 78 yards, as he became a deep ball threat for Josh Allen.
However, with the Bills trading for DJ Moore and drafting Skyler Bell, the team’s receiver room appears to be set. This is why Cooks may not be back, despite Buffalo hinting at it earlier in the offseason.
If Cooks does sign with the Chiefs, he would add some more depth to the room behind Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Tyquan Thornton.
Cooks Not Done Playing
Cooks revived his career with the Bills this past season after being released by the New Orleans Saints.
The star receiver made an impact on Buffalo’s offense, and after the season, he made it clear that he would continue to play football.
“I’m far from done,” Cooks wrote on Instagram. “Anyone who knows me knows I’ll be back in the lab, working even harder. I’ve never been one to roll over. I don’t know how. Until the tank is on “E,” all I know is to keep going. By no means am I finished. This season only made me want it more than ever. It has never been about proving anyone wrong. It is about proving myself right.”
Bills general manager, Brandon Beane, meanwhile, said this offseason that they have been in conversation with Cooks. But, both sides felt like they would wait until after the draft to make a decision.
“Have had conversations not only with his agent but with him as well,” Beane said at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. “Really love what he did for us at the end of the season last year. I think kind of what I said, seeing how the draft falls, seeing what our numbers are. I think that’s kind of where he’s at, too, making sure he doesn’t going somewhere and a team drafts someone.”
Cooks began his NFL career in 2014 after being a first-round pick of the Saints.
Bills Made Additions to Wide Receiver Room
Buffalo did put an emphasis on the wide receiver room this offseason.
The Bills’ first big move of the offseason was trading for DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. Moore will be the team’s No. 1 receiver and be a legit difference-maker on offense.
Then, in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, the Bills drafted Skyler Bell out of UConn to add more depth to the receiver room. That came after Beane made it clear the team wouldn’t trade Keon Coleman, and he’d be a key part of the Bills offense.
The Bills wide receiver room currently features the likes of Moore, Khalil Shakir, Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Bell, Tyrell Shavers, Mecole Hardman, and Trent Sherfield, among others.
Brandin Cooks Predicted to Leave Bills for Arch Rival in Surprising Move