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Cooks, Saints will be fine if trade doesn’t work out

By Ty Anania

Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints don’t need to get a trade done for Brandin Cooks just because he wants to go.

There’s been some speculation that the Saints are, with all the drama surrounding Cooks and the receiver group, all but guaranteed to trade Brandin Cooks. And for the most part, I agree. Chances are very high that Cooks is playing in another color in 2017.

But I’ve seen far too many people—fans and analysts both—that think the Saints need to trade Cooks. They don’t.

The thought is that reconciliation between the two sides is impossible. But far from impossible, I’m not sure there would need to be any reconciliation at all. Brandin Cooks is a professional. That’s one of the traits that landed him in New Orleans. He’s not going to hold out just because the Saints couldn’t find a trade market for him.

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Whether or not fans forgive The Arrow is another question. That ship has probably already sailed. But between Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and the rest of the Saints receivers, I can tell you with certainty. If Cooks doesn’t get traded, it will be back to business as usual.

There is still a very valid argument to the importance of getting a deal done. With all this drama, I doubt Cooks would be keen on resigning when his contract is up. But the Saints own his player option for 2018, so a trade could still get done down the road. They’re not necessarily obligated to get a trade down now.

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That’s not to say I don’t think a trade is likely. I’m not sure if the Saints have had a straight offer from the Titans for the 18th pick. But I imagine that if they have it’ll get the deal done. That wouldn’t keep them from looking for better deals in the meantime—they’re reportedly seeking a pass-rusher via the trade as well as picks—but it should be all they need when the time comes.

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