The Dallas Cowboys said goodbye to several veteran players when NFL free agency opened in March, including veteran wideout Brandin Cooks. The 31-year-old wide receiver left the Lone Star State after two seasons to join the New Orleans Saints on a two-year, $13 million contract, returning to the franchise that drafted him over a decade ago.
While homecomings can benefit some players in need of a fresh start, Cooks' return to New Orleans just took a turn for the worse following Saturday's news.
Former Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks Will Regret Joining Saints After Derek Carr's Retirement
On Saturday, Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement after 11 NFL seasons. Even though the 34-year-old signal-caller played well since moving to New Orleans a few years ago, recent injuries are preventing his career from continuing, leaving the Saints — and Cooks — without a QB1.
Saints QB Derek Carr is retiring after 11 seasons. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/irJJ7PVV7V
— NFL (@NFL) May 10, 2025
It isn't hard to figure out why Cooks wanted to join the Saints (other than the homecoming aspect). Carr's recent performance likely factored into the ex-Cowboys WR's decision, especially after the former Fresno State Bulldog completed 68.2% of passes for 6,023 passing yards, 40 touchdowns (to 13 interceptions), and a 98.8 passer rating in 27 starts with New Orleans.
Now, the Saints are left with a massive question mark under center that will hinder Cooks and the rest of the WR room's production.
Former 2024 150th-overall pick Spencer Rattler certainly didn't look like a starting QB last season. The 24-year-old gunslinger led the Saints to a 0-6 record in six starts last year, finishing with a 57.0% completion percentage, 1,317 passing yards, four TDs to five INTs, and a 70.4 passer rating along the way.
Next up on the depth chart is Jake Haener, whose upside isn't any better. The ex-2023 fourth-rounder started against the Washington Commanders in Week 15 but was pulled and replaced by Rattler after going 4-of-10 for 49 yards and an INT, proving that Haener certainly isn't ready for the spotlight either.
That leaves the Saints likely starting 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough in Week 1. The 26-year-old rookie is fresh off a breakout campaign with the Louisville Cardinals, leaving it up to him to prove if he's an NFL-caliber starter once organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp begin.
No matter who the Saints end up starting, it's clear that Cooks will have an uphill battle to return to form. The ex-Cowboys playmaker's production declined as injuries mounted during his time in Dallas, culminating in an 80-916-11 stat line in 26 games across the last two seasons.
The Saints were already a work in progress, and that moniker is even more true following Carr's surprise retirement. It's now up to Cooks and New Orleans' other wideouts to help make the next QB1's job as easy as possible, even if that wasn't what the ex-Cowboys WR expected when he put pen to paper.