The Buffalo Bills have tapped into a known name around the NFL to potentially help their inconsistent passing attack on offense in 2025.

Veteran NFL wide receiver Brandin Cooks has signed in Buffalo. The 32-year-old was waived by the New Orleans Saints last week and was a free agent.

In landing with the Bills, Cooks could quickly get an opportunity to make an impact on the team’s offense led by quarterback Josh Allen. Because of that, you’ll want to get to know him more now.

Here are seven things to know about the new Bills wide receiver:

Started on a high note

Cooks was introduced as a household name in the NFL as a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints during the 2014 NFL draft. Cooks, 32, attended Oregon State.

Thus far in his career, Cooks has 729 catches for 9,697 yards with 60 touchdowns in 168 games played (147 starts).

Returned but bounced around the NFL

New Orleans was the first and most-recent team of his, but Cooks has not stayed with the Saints for his entire career. Cooks also spent time with the New England Patriots (2017), Los Angeles Rams (2018-19), Houston Texans (2020-22), and Dallas Cowboys (2023-24).

Two Super Bowl appearances

Cooks has twice played in the Super Bowl but lost both times. He’ll be hungry to right those wrongs with the Bills.

He was defeated in Super Bowl LII with the New England Patriots and Super Bowl LIII with the Los Angeles Rams. In the first, he left the game early because of injury and then had a huge effort with eight catches and 120 yards in the other… but still fell short.

Things he can bring the Bills

Cooks is no longer a youthful player, but at one time the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder had speed on his side which should not be totally gone. Cooks’ career average is 13.3 yards per catch.

In addition, Cooks has played 159 snaps in the slot and 263 on the outside this season in 10 games with the Saints in 2025. Cooks has made 19 catches for 165 yards this years.

The Bills have gotten some field-extending play from Gabe Davis in recent weeks, but Buffalo has already called Davis up twice from their practice squad. If Davis plays again, he will have to be added to the 53-man roster.

A milestone

Cooks has not surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau since the 2021 season with the Texans. However, he is no stranger in his career to finding his way there.

Cooks has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career, and is one of only two players in league history to do that with four different teams (Brandon Marshall).

Cooks’ production has dropped the past two years as well.

Job after football?

In non-football items, Cooks once wore the Cowboys’ star, but could be another kind one day? He told the Patriots’ website back in the day he enjoys acting.

Acting. In college I did theater for my first two years. It was plays, as if it was Broadway, not movies or anything like that, but more theatrical.

What is his second-favorite sport?

Your answer: It’s baseball.