NEW ORLEANS -- Sean Payton dismissed reports of the New Orleans Saints possibly exploring Brandin Cooks trades this offseason as "garbage" when asked about them after Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Detroit Lions.
"No, you don't have to ask," Payton said when a reporter followed up. “It’s a false report. It’s an agent picking up the phone and calling up … there’s nothing to the report.”
Cooks also said that he never demanded a trade. "No, I did not do that," Cooks said. "I did not do that."
Reports emerged Sunday that Cooks' frustration over his role in the Saints' offense could lead to offseason trade talk. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that multiple NFL teams believe Cooks’ name could surface in trade talks and that some believe a trade was brewing earlier this year with the New England Patriots for linebacker Jamie Collins. And the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said to expect trade talks to center around Cooks and that his frustration led some to wonder if New Orleans is the best system for his talents.
However, Payton quickly retweeted a reader who ripped the NFL Network report:
@RapSheet @NFL plz research JUST A LITTLE BIT instead of closing your eyes&throwing a dart@a board to decide what you're going to "report"
— Bob Rose (@bobbyr2613) December 4, 2016
It’s possible that Cooks or his camp would like to seek a trade -- or at least threaten to demand a trade if his role doesn't change on a consistent basis. But it’s unclear how strong the Saints’ interest would be in trading the dynamic receiver, whom they drafted in the first round in 2014.
Cooks is under contract at the discounted rate of $1.56 million next year, then the Saints hold the right to exercise a one-year option on him for 2018, as well.
Cooks’ frustration is genuine, though -- especially after he wound up with zero targets on 45 snaps in last week’s 49-21 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Cooks acknowledged it to the media Thursday, insisting that it stems from wanting to be great and to help the team rather than from selfishness. But he said he felt compelled to speak up because "closed mouths don’t get fed."
And sources have indicated that Cooks has been frustrated with his role throughout this entire season -- mostly the idea that he is used too often as a clear-out receiver instead of a primary option.
Cooks has two of the four longest receptions in the NFL this season -- a 98-yard TD in Week 1 and an 87-yard TD in Week 6. And his overall numbers are strong (51 catches, 736 yards, six TDs).
But he actually ranks third on the Saints in both receptions per game (4.6) and targets per game (6.8) behind rookie Michael Thomas and Willie Snead.
When asked if he was disappointed that his frustration became such a big topic this week, Cooks said, “I wouldn’t say I was frustrated. I would just say it’s the game, and those things happen. And sometimes things come out. The good thing, I got teammates who know who I am and know that it wasn’t coming from a selfish standpoint or anything like that. And like I stated earlier in the week, it’s coming from a want to be great. And I think they understand that, and I think our coaches understand that. And I think we’re on the same page with that.”
Cooks led the Saints with seven catches Sunday for 73 yards -- but most of them came in catch-up mode. He didn't catch his first pass until the final minute of the first half. But then again, Michael Thomas' 2-yard catch was the only catch by any Saints receiver in the first 29 minutes.