Brandin Cooks Responds to Doubts About Saints’ 2025 Season

A New Beginning in New Orleans

Brandin Cooks joined the Saints ahead of quarterback Derek Carr’s retirement and wasted no time addressing those who expect the team to struggle in the upcoming season, regardless of who replaces Carr in Week 1.

“At the end of the day, we all start 0-0. It doesn’t matter what you did last year,” Cooks recently said while speaking with reporters, as shared by Christian Gonzales of the NFL’s website.

“It don’t matter what you did the previous year. It’s a new slate for us and you can call it underdog or whatever the case may be, but we are putting in our work. We will let our actions do the talk come Sundays during the season.”

Before the draft, there were reports suggesting Carr could have missed part of the season due to a shoulder injury. In apparent response, the Saints used the 40th overall pick to select Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, widely regarded as one of the most NFL-ready players at his position this year.

Quarterback Battle Underway

On May 21, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reported that several sportsbooks have named Shough the frontrunner to start Week 1 for New Orleans. He’s competing with Spencer Rattler, picked in the fifth round this year, and Jake Haener, a fourth-round selection from 2023.

Haener has only one NFL start to his name and is currently recovering from a strained oblique, which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of spring practices. Rattler, meanwhile, started six games as a rookie and lost all of them.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence, both of those guys,” Cooks said about Shough and Rattler. “And you can see the competition going on. They can definitely sling it. So, I look forward to continuing to see that grow.”

Speculation Around a Veteran Option

Some observers believe that new head coach Kellen Moore may attempt to trade for Kenny Pickett, currently with the Cleveland Browns, before training camp begins in July. Moore previously worked with Pickett during their time together in Philadelphia, where Pickett served as a backup.

However, Cleveland appears committed to giving Pickett a legitimate opportunity to be their starter in Week 1. If a veteran like Pickett doesn’t become available, Moore may have to choose between Shough and Rattler to lead the team when the season opens.