Proposed Trade Sees Cowboys Offload $39 Million Veteran to Steelers!
A potential trade scenario is brewing, suggesting that the Dallas Cowboys might be willing to part ways with one of their seasoned players.
According to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, there’s speculation that the Cowboys could trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2025. Davenport points to the Cowboys’ need to free up salary cap space for CeeDee Lamb’s impending contract extension as the primary motivation for unloading Cooks, who is slated to earn a $8 million base salary for the 2024 season.
Cooks is nearing the end of a lucrative two-year, $39.6 million contract extension he inked with the Houston Texans.
“Trading Cooks after June 1 would clear $8 million off the Cowboys’ books, potentially facilitating Lamb’s extension,” Davenport explains. “While Cooks didn’t rack up impressive yardage last season, he scored eight touchdowns and boasts six 1,000-yard seasons in his NFL career. Plus, he comes at a relatively lower cost compared to other wide receiver options.”
Brandin Cooks Identified as Top ‘Realistic’ Trade Target Davenport suggests that Cooks, aged 30, could be the most “realistic” trade target among the six options he discusses in his article. Alongside Cooks, Davenport lists other notable receivers such as Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, and Courtland Sutton.
“In some respects, Cooks might be the most realistic trade target on this list—especially considering his familiarity with being traded in the NFL,” Davenport notes.
Standing at 5-foot-10, Cooks continues to be a reliable receiver as he enters his 11th NFL season. He delivered an impressive eight-touchdown performance in his debut season with the Cowboys, marking the second-highest touchdown tally of his career. His touchdown count ranked second among all Cowboys players, overshadowing former Dallas receiver Michael Gallup, who managed just 34 receptions and 418 receiving yards compared to Cooks’ 54 receptions for 657 yards.
The Steelers emerge as potential suitors for Cooks given their need for another starting wideout following Diontae Johnson’s trade to the Carolina Panthers. According to reports by KOA’s Benjamin Allbright, the Steelers have shown interest in Aiyuk, Sutton, and Metcalf.
“They’ve inquired about Aiyuk and Sutton, but initial talks haven’t yielded results. As for DK, any potential trade would likely happen after June 1, if at all,” Allbright stated.
Why the Cowboys May Hesitate to Trade Brandin Cooks While trading Cooks could alleviate salary cap concerns, it poses challenges for the Cowboys in terms of personnel. Dallas already faces depth issues in its wide receiver lineup, particularly following Gallup’s departure. The team is banking on Jalen Tolbert to step up as the No. 3 receiver, having drafted only one wide receiver, Ryan Flournoy from Southeast Missouri State, in the sixth round.
Although the Cowboys have been cautious with free agency spending this offseason, prioritizing future contracts for Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons, it’s unlikely they’ll bite on trading Cooks. They view him as a vital complementary option to Lamb for the upcoming 2024 season.
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