The NFL offseason is zooming along, and the start of free agency is almost here. The Dallas Cowboys will be busy in the coming days with 19 players officially becoming free agents on Wednesday, according to Spotrac. Although some players could still be re-signed, others will have to look for new homes this spring.
One player's future that Cowboys fans are intrigued by is that of Brandin Cooks. The veteran free agent is hitting the opening market following an injury-plagued campaign and will be looking to prove that he still has something left in the tank, whether that opportunity is given in Dallas or elsewhere.
Cowboys Free Agency: Brandin Cooks Take Shot at Cowboys Coaching Staff
On Saturday, Cooks spoke with The Exhibit's Josina Anderson about his career outlook just days before free agency. Although the six-time 1,000-yard receiver is open to a Dallas return, he made it clear he wasn't happy with how ex-head coach Mike McCarthy's staff used him.
"I would love to play with the Cowboys. At the same time, they would have to use me right," Cooks said. "I don’t think they fully used me to my strengths."
"I don't like to be stagnant out there... Whether I'm out wide and motion in towards the slot, or vice versa, I work well from that."
Just spoke with impending free agent #Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks on the phone:
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 8, 2025
"I'm expecting a good free agency since this is the first time that I would be a free agent in my career, but I'm also open to returning to Dallas. At the end of the day I'm just trying to win. I am… pic.twitter.com/8t3cNw7KXb
After moving on from Amari Cooper in the previous offseason, the Cowboys sent two draft picks to the Houston Texans to acquire Cooks in March 2023. The former Oregon State Beaver went on to play 16 games for America's team in the following season, turning 54 catches into 657 yards and eight touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Cooks' production fell off a cliff in 2024. Missing seven games due to a knee injury, the Stockton, CA native only managed to muster a 26-259-3 stat line while recording career lows in yards per reception (10.0), receptions per game (2.6), yards per game (25.9), and catch percentage (48.1%).
Cooks expects that first-year Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer will put "some flavor" on the team's offense, but it remains to be seen if the veteran WR will be a part of the new-look attack. He's likely a WR3/4 at this stage of his career, and Dallas might be looking to replace him with a wideout who's either younger or has a better recent medical history.
Even if a Cowboys return doesn't happen, Cooks will likely garner some free agent attention. The 31-year-old playmaker has amassed over 9,500 receiving yards and 60 TDs throughout his 11-year career, so it wouldn't be surprising if a team offered him a one-year contract based on his name alone.
Outside NFL teams can begin negotiating with Cooks (and other Cowboys free agents) when the tampering window opens on Monday. In other words, it won't be much longer before fans learn whether or not he'll be back in the Lone Star State next season.