Brandin Cooks had his worst year as a pro at arguably the worst possible time.

In 2024, Cooks missed seven games and only started in nine. He wound up with just 26 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.

Enjoying leftovers in a Turkey Day edition of Monday Morning Quarterback 2

Which made voiding his contract and its $4 million almost a dead certainty.

The Dallas Cowboys will have that $4 million as a dead cap hit, and it seems unlikely they’d bring Cooks back in 2025 even at a cheaper salary.

He’ll turn 32 years old in late September and be playing in his 12th season this fall. He’s also clearly declining since his back-to-back thousand-yard seasons for the Texans in 2020-2021.

Year Rec-Yards-TDs
2022 57-699-3
2023 54-657-8
2024 26-259-3

In addition to the combination of age and declining production, Cooks’ role will likely be taken over by KaVontae Turpin.

Three years younger, Turpin will be a restricted free agent next month. Given his value as a returner, look for Dallas to keep him on the roster and for less than the $4 million Cooks was on the books for 2025.

Turpin had a punt return and a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2024.

Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) returns a punt past New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders are probably still having nightmares about his 99-yard return in that 34-26 loss in November.

In addition to scoring his first career return touchdowns, Turpin took advantage of Cooks’ absence and had a solid year as a receiver.

In 2023, Turpin had 12 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He added 110 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Last year, Turpin hauled in 31 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns with 92 more yards on 16 carries.