The New Orleans Saints will have a familiar face back this year. For the 2025 NFL season, the NFC South club has decided to bolster Derek Carr‘s offense by signing one of their former first-round picks.
In 2023, the Saints patiently waited for the Las Vegas Raiders to release Derek Carr. The NFC South club wanted to acquire a veteran quarterback, and Carr was the best option available in the market at the time.
While his first two seasons in New Orleans have not been great, the club expects him to step up in the 2025 campaign. For that reason, they have welcomed back a top-tier wide receiver to help him achieve success this year.
Saints re-sign their 2014 first-round pick to bolster Derek Carr’s offense
The Saints have not had great seasons since the retirement of Drew Brees in 2021. The legendary quarterback left a huge gap to fill in the NFC South club, but the team expects Derek Carr to be the solution to all of their problems.
Carr has not been able to take the Saints to the playoffs in the two years he has been with the club. Nevertheless, the front office expects him to achieve success this upcoming season, which is why they have re-signed a former player to help the quarterback in his quest.
Nick Underhill, insider of the Saints, reported on Friday that the club was signing Brandin Cooks for the 2025 season. The information was later confirmed by NFL Media via Tom Pelissero.
Cooks will return to the Saints after the club drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick. He spent three seasons in New Orleans before joining the Patriots in 2017. He has also played for the Rams, Texans, and most recently with the Cowboys.
The 31-year-old receiver has played 11 seasons in the NFL, with six campaigns of more than 1,000 receiving yards. He is expected to be the team’s WR2 behind Chris Olave.
Will the Saints sign another wide receiver this offseason?
The 2025 offseason is expected to have a lot of movement for the Saints. The NFC South club wants to achieve success with Derek Carr before his contract expires in 2027.
While Cooks’ arrival will be key to bolstering the offense, he is not the only addition expected for Derek Carr’s group. The club is set to bring another wideout this offseason, most likely in the 2025 NFL Draft.