Throughout training camp practices in Oxnard, Calif., it appeared like Brandin Cooks would be a major part of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 offense. The expectation was that he’d likely be their No. 2 most productive pass catcher behind No. 1 WR CeeDee Lamb.
After all, that’s why Dallas traded a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for the 29-year-old back in March.
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The plan seemed simple. Feed Lamb and make defenses pay with Cooks when Lamb is doubled.
But then the season started. Through the first five games, Cooks caught a total of nine passes for 73 yards and no touchdowns. Things weren’t going as planned, but he always said the right things when asked about his stats and targets.
“I’m not going down that path,” he said at his locker inside The Star on Nov. 10. “Earlier in my career, I went down that path. It’s not going to do any good for yourself mentally and just the guys that are around you. I trust Coach (Mike McCarthy). I trust Dak (Prescott). I trust the offense. It’s going to come. And when it comes, you’re gonna know.”
Cooks has looked much more like his old self since that quote.
In the 11 games since, Cooks is averaging 50 receiving yards per game to go along with seven touchdown receptions.
One of the most interesting Cowboys stats this season is that they are 10-0 when Cooks has at least 20 receiving yards in a game. They are 0-5 in games when he has less than 20 yards. He missed one game with a sprained knee, the Week 2 win over the New York Jets.
Good things seem to happen for the Cowboys when veteran WR Brandin Cooks gets the ball pic.twitter.com/m7CC3GAhH0
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 1, 2024
“On the field, he’s super competitive,” McCarthy said. “I think he has a clear understanding of everything that’s going on. How he fits with the quarterback in the pass part of it, he has a clear understanding schematically of his role in the run game. He’s a very, very smart football player. His knack for big plays in big moments has been awesome for us.
“Off the field, I think he goes to a different level. He’s all football, he’s a big family man, he’s very well-respected and he has great work habits. I can’t really think of anything not nice to say about him.”
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A couple of his biggest plays this season have happened in Dallas’ last two games. Down 19-13 with under four minutes to play at Miami, Dak Prescott threw to Cooks in the left corner of the end zone for the go-ahead 8-yard touchdown pass. Saturday night against Detroit, the Cowboys were down 13-10 in the fourth quarter. Prescott again found Cooks, this time in the right corner of the end zone with 7:20 remaining.
“That’s who he’s been from the time he’s shown up,” Prescott said. “Honestly, talking about CeeDee, I think I would be remiss if I didn’t give some credit to Brandin Cooks and just the way he’s come in, being a veteran with a lot of success with different teams. Throughout the year, he’s really showing CeeDee how to prepare, how to get better and to not be satisfied at any point.
“That’s who Brandin is, Mr. Consistent. He’s consistent in his attitude each and every day, consistent in his work ethic, consistent in taking care of his body. All of that translates to him making plays on the field when the time is needed and making big-time catches. He’s a guy that’s far from satisfied.”
The Cowboys are Cooks’ fifth NFL team. The 2014 first-round pick has been traded a record-tying four times. It’s somewhat head-scratching considering that along the way he has recorded six 1,000-yard seasons and played in two Super Bowls. Since he has arrived in Dallas, there has been nothing but rave reviews about his work behind the scenes.
“This is a very well-respected player and man in our organization,” McCarthy said. “The respect that he carries in the locker room, his work ethic, his give-back to the younger players. He’s won enough in his career and knows what it looks like and just wants to be a part of another championship. He’s just so consistent.”
Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said he loves the way Cooks “works the sideline” during games.
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“If we’re doing great, he’s still over there talking to Dak, ‘Hey, what did you see here? What did you do here?’” Schottenheimer said while providing examples. “There’s just constant communication, encouraging, just speaking confidence, speaking positive things like, ‘Hey, we’re good. We’ll be all right. One play at a time.’ … The guy is invaluable when you talk about helping us set the tone, helping us send the message during the week and on game day when there is adversity.
“He’s been through adversity. I just love the communication with the guy on game day. His feedback is really, really accurate, which is an important part for us. When he tells you something, you know to take it as, that’s exactly what happened.”
The Cowboys’ success when Cooks has at least 20 receiving yards obviously doesn’t mean that they should just force the ball to him early and it will lead to a win every time. But it is interesting to see how his increased involvement helps an offense that is still looking for ways to capitalize in areas outside of Lamb’s record-breaking season.
Lamb is going to continue being the focal point of the offense. But who else is going to step up when the playoffs start? Is it going to be the running game? Second-year TE Jake Ferguson? Michael Gallup? Jalen Tolbert? If Dallas is going to make a deep playoff run, Cooks is probably the most-likely answer.
“I think it’s just like I’ve always talked about, trusting the process,” Cooks said. “When your number is called, showing up for your team and making the play, that’s what it’s all about. Any time I get an opportunity, I just have to take advantage of it and be the best I can for my teammates.”
Cooks’ seven touchdown receptions this season are his most since he had seven with New England in 2017. He was the Patriots’ No. 2 pass-catching option that season behind TE Rob Gronkowski. That team reached the Super Bowl. More opportunities for Cooks might be what leads to him playing in his third Super Bowl.
“He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached,” Schottenheimer said. “It’s an honor to be on the same team with him.”
(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
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