$123 Million Saints WR Headed to Pittsburgh? Madden Legend Could Join Rodgers and Metcalf in Steelers’ Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already made an adjustment to their first 53-man roster. But Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton argued Thursday that a much bigger change is coming with veteran receiver Brandin Cooks.

On a list of bold trade predictions to occur before the 2025 NFL regular season begins next weekend, Moton projected the Steelers to acquire Cooks from the New Orleans Saints.

Moton pitched the Steelers landing Cooks for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

“In his 12th year, Cooks would be a better fit on a playoff-contending squad rather than a team in its early stages of a rebuild with a starting quarterback who has an uncertain short-term future,” wrote Moton.

“The Steelers should be one of the strongest suitors for Cooks, who would be the team’s second-best wideout behind DK Metcalf. Calvin Austin III made strides as a big-play receiver last season, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers can target Cooks as his reliable chain-mover in the aerial attack.”

Cooks spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Saints. The veteran agreed to return to New Orleans this offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal.

Over his 12-year NFL career, Cooks has accumulated about $123 million.

The past two seasons, Cooks played for the Dallas Cowboys. In 2024, he posted 26 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns.

What Brandin Cooks Could Add to Steelers

As Moton wrote, the 31-year-old receiver is past his prime. But he’s been a valuable contributor to a lot of NFL offenses over the years and could be worth a flier for the Steelers.

Cooks posted a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons during his first Saints tenure. He also had 1,000-yard campaigns with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans.

His statistics dipped last season below the 500-yard mark for the first time ever. But Cooks missed seven games because of a knee injury.

Cooks has posted 76 catches and 1,026 receiving yards as a 17-game average in his NFL career. That production would probably cause a lot of national pundits, like Moton, to be excited about the possibility of the Steelers adding the veteran.

The Steelers had receivers DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek on their first 53-man roster.