Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gary McCullough/AP/Shutterstock (13452188ci) Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) stretches during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville, Fla Texans Jaguars Football, Jacksonville, United States – 09 Oct 2022
Texans stand firm at trade deadline
The team had been rumored to be shopping top WR Brandin Cooks.
The Houston Texans saw the trade deadline come and go and did nothing.
There had been rampant speculation and reports that the team was listening to offers on WR Brandin Cooks. Cooks’ behavior had indicated he wanted out of Houston, liking tweets about him being traded. However, the deadline passed, and the Texans did not have a deal in place for Cooks. The team was reportedly seeking a second-round pick as compensation.
Cooks fired off an angry tweet in the aftermath of not being dealt, stating:
“Don’t take a man’s kindness for granted. Covered for the lies for too long those days are done. Crossed the line with playing with my career“
The biggest impediment to a Cooks deal is his $18 million guaranteed salary for next season. It was reported to be a major stumbling block in negotiations that the Texans had with potential suitors.
The team was also reported to have turned down all offers for DL Jerry Hughes, who leads the team with five sacks. Hughes has an above-average pass rush win rate, despite being one of the most heavily double-teamed players in the league. Reports surfaced earlier on Tuesday that the team would not entertain trading Hughes.
The Texans did make one move, signing LB Buddy Johnson to the practice squad. Johnson, 23, is in his second year out of Texas A&M. Originally a fourth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he appeared in four games for the Steelers in 2021 before being released by the team on August 30, 2022.
He then signed with the San Francisco 49ers on September 5 to their practice squad and was released by the Niners October 18.