Bills sign Brandin Cooks

[Utah John]

On 11/25/2025 at 4:03 PM, Psautcsk said:

Even if the league allows the Saints to waive Cooks (as Rule No. 24 is written, it should not), there is (as the source put it) “a full-blown conspiracy involving the Saints, another team, and Cooks’s agent.”

Added the source, “They all worked together.”

And if the NFL allows Cooks to be waived despite the language of Rule No. 24, the league is part of the conspiracy, too.

 

This is from an NBC article I read on Saturday.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/poison-pill-aimed-at-helping-brandin-cooks-clear-waivers-could-keep-saints-from-releasing-him

Well, this indicates it's possible the Saints were rigging things.  But why would they do that, if they were just going to get Cooks off their roster?  If it subsequently turns out that the Bills and Saints do something fishy, like having a trade next season where the Bills don't get close to full value of what they sent the Saints, that could indicate a quid pro quo.  

 

Or it could be the Saints were trying to do a solid for a player they liked but didn't want anymore.  Cooks likely didn't want to be picked up by a bad organization (cough cough Dolphins cough cough) or a division rival, so it could be the Saints helped avoid that.  

 

The language in the rules would seem to mean the Saints couldn't have eventually waived Cooks, and yet the NFL let them do it and then approved the Bills signing Cooks.  There's a contradiction here and I don't see how this got done.  

Edited Thursday at 06:32 AM by Utah John

[BillsFanForever19]

On 11/27/2025 at 1:29 AM, Utah John said:

Well, this indicates it's possible the Saints were rigging things.  But why would they do that, if they were just going to get Cooks off their roster?  If it subsequently turns out that the Bills and Saints do something fishy, like having a trade next season where the Bills don't get close to full value of what they sent the Saints, that could indicate a quid pro quo.  

 

Or it could be the Saints were trying to do a solid for a player they liked but didn't want anymore.  Cooks likely didn't want to be picked up by a bad organization (cough cough Dolphins cough cough) or a division rival, so it could be the Saints helped avoid that.  

 

The language in the rules would seem to mean the Saints couldn't have eventually waived Cooks, and yet the NFL let them do it and then approved the Bills signing Cooks.  There's a contradiction here and I don't see how this got done.  

 

I think it's more about what you typed in the second paragraph. And I don't think it's that they "didn't want him".

 

Their season is over, they aren't going anywhere, he's 32 years old, and wanted to go to a contender. Specifically us, given his relationships with a number of people in the building and how much we need WR's.

 

The Saints Drafted Cooks. And after touring the league, brought him back. They obviously like him as an organization and just wanted to help get to where he wanted to go. 

 

This isn't the first time someone's done this. It's not illegal. That said now that it's been done again, I'd imagine there will be rules put in place to prevent it.

[GolfandBills]

He’s gotta be active for this I’d imagine right ?

[Kelly to Allen]

2 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

He’s gotta be active for this I’d imagine right ?

 

He's a seasoned vet. They'll give him 5-7 plays to memorize and a couple checks. He'll be ready 

 

Allen at his core is a sandlot QB. You can throw me and you out there and he'll make it work 

[Matt_In_NH]

On 11/29/2025 at 2:02 AM, GolfandBills said:

He’s gotta be active for this I’d imagine right ?

Keon, Palmer, Shakir, Shavers, Davis...I dont think he has to dress, no.  It is not uncommon for them to have 5 active WR's.  Palmer being iffy might impact that.

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Keon, Palmer, Shakir, Shavers, Davis...I dont think he has to dress, no.  It is not uncommon for them to have 5 active WR's.  Palmer being iffy might impact that.

If the rumor of Keon being active today is true and assuming Davis and Shakir are locks to be active, I agree it would come down to Palmer's health. Shavers is almost a lock to be active for STs IMO. 

 

Of course, they could surprise and go with 6 WRs today and attack the Steelers weak pass defense.

[CNYfan]

This cat will be wearing #18 today, I believe.  

[Clyde Smith]

Prizepicks has Kincaid and Palmer as selections. Are they playing today?

[WotAGuy]

On 11/29/2025 at 4:13 AM, Kelly to Allen said:

 

He's a seasoned vet. They'll give him 5-7 plays to memorize and a couple checks. He'll be ready 

 

Allen at his core is a sandlot QB. You can throw me and you out there and he'll make it work 

Agree. Josh is the type to say “Can you beat that guy?”  
Cooks: “Yup”

Allen: “Go deep; it’s comin’ your way”

[FireChans]

While I understand the effort, I’m like 99% sure Cooks is done in the NFL.

 

Theres little downside to bringing him in, but I’m not really expecting anything. 

[FireChans]

On 11/26/2025 at 5:41 PM, Nihilarian said:

Certain Bills fans here have been constantly complaining about how Buffalo needs that #1 WR since that first loss, and yet they were the #2 scoring team in the NFL last season, #1 including the playoffs.  What those fans don't get is the Bills were able to score like crazy in the passing game last season, and in particular against Detroit, and LA Rams. What they also don't get is for whatever reason, this OC has fallen on his face this year.

 

Whether on purpose or a lack of knowledge on how to scheme a great passing offense. My take, I think it's because he is looking elsewhere. That game plan against the Texans showed the world he doesn't shiv a git about getting Josh Allen injured or killed, as he didn't have an extra lineman in there to max protect and kept calling for mid to deep passing plays.  EIGHT sacks showed us that. I think he wants out of Buffalo for some reason. If I'm McD, I'd oblige to a degree and demote him.

 

I could be wrong, and he is simply inept at installing new game plans. I fear it's not the receivers, it's the OC! 

The Bills are 5th in points and 3rd in yards with literal garbage cast offs at WR.

 

Is the expectation for Brady to command the best offense in the NFL with Brandin Cooks as a starter?

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 minutes ago, FireChans said:

While I understand the effort, I’m like 99% sure Cooks is done in the NFL.

 

Theres little downside to bringing him in, but I’m not really expecting anything. 

I think that's the most healthy attitude when it comes to Cooks, especially in our "everyone eats" philosophy. 

 

Maybe a dozen catches, 200 yards and a TD or two would be realistic IMO. They key will be when those plays come. Last season Amari Cooper didn't make big plays week in and week out. Heck, there were a few weeks I forgot he was on the team. But he made plays in some key moments. That's what we need out of Cooks. A few key grabs at the right time and it's a successful signing IMO.