Count Pep Hamilton as one of the coaches inside NRG Stadium that is relieved receiver Brandin Cooks will remain with the Houston Texans through the 2024 season.
Although the rumor mill was breaking various OSHA regulations in its grind to churn out rumors of the Texans trading Cooks, Houston was working to extend the former New Orleans Saints 2014 first-round pick.
Why not? The Texans receiver has done nothing but stack 1,000-yard receiving seasons in each of his two campaigns in Houston. While the Texans may have been consistently winning four games per the last two years, Cooks has equally been productive in his output.
Ensuring Cooks stays for the 2022 season gives Hamilton a sense of relief, and also confidence as the 28-year-old enters his third year with the team and second with quarterback Davis Mills.
“That means a lot,” Hamilton told reporters on April 11. “I think that when you look at just the production that Brandin has been able to have over the last few seasons, but also over the course of his career, he brings a certain level of paranoia for our opponents and that’s going to open up the opportunity for us to balance out our attack.”
One team that Cooks has frightened since entering the AFC South are the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he has generated three 100-yard performances through four games.
“Glad I don’t have to defend Brandin Cooks anymore,” said safeties coach Joe Danna, who previously worked with the Jaguars. “He got the best of us the last couple of years for sure.”
However, as productive and dependable Cooks is, the Texans offense needs more weapons, and Hamilton knows that.
Said Hamilton: “We have to improve our run game, but at the same time we go out with the objection to score. We want to outscore the opponent every game we play.”
Having a receiver who incites paranoia in the opposition helps.
