(SportsRadio 610) - Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks is an accomplished enough player to have found his way of out Houston.
He was going into the the final year of his contract, with no more guaranteed dollars. Cooks could have asked to be traded or released, similar to how the team released J.J. Watt after the 2020 season.
Instead, Cooks signed a two-year contract extension with the team this past offseason and he's slotted to once again be their top offensive weapon.
The deal guarantees Cooks $36 million with a full value of just over $39.7 million. But it's more than simply the money that's keeping Cooks in Houston for a third season, after playing for three different teams in as many years prior to being traded to the Texans in 2020.
He joined In The Loop after Friday's training camp practice and was asked why he decided to commit to the Texans, a rebuilding franchise that's only won four games in each of his first two seasons with the team.
"Because of (general manager) Nick Caserio," Cooks said. "I believe in a lot of what he's doing. I had some time with him obviously before with a past team (in New England). Just the way that he constructs a team, he's got to have time. I believe in what he's building and I wanted to be a part of that. And (head coach) Lovie (Smith), I've got a lot of love for him as well. ...
"First and foremost, they're building a team that's just accountable. It's a team that's just about one another. It's cliche, but it's a team that's about doing their job, no one thinking they're bigger than someone else. And when we get something accomplished, we accomplish it together, not just because of one guy. I love that thought process."
Cooks talked about more in the interview with In The Loop, including his reaction to rookie teammate John Metchie III being diagnosed with leukemia, expectations for the season and what he's seeing in camp.
Listen to the entire interview above, or click here.