New Orleans Saints wideout Brandin Cooks wasn't targeted in Sunday's blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams, adding to his already brewing frustration within the high-powered Saints offense.
The Saints recorded a season-high 49 points and racked up 555 yards Sunday, but Cooks didn't feel like he was needed, hinting on social media Monday he should become a "businessman" after contributing zero yards.
Unidentified sources told ESPN.com that Cooks is growing tired of serving as a "decoy" in the offense instead of as a primary option, which rookie Michael Thomas (5.9 receptions, 7.5 targets per game) is turning in to. Even Willie Snead (5.1 receptions, 6.9 targets) is ahead of Cooks in receptions and targets per game.
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Cooks' resentment also came up earlier this season when he had a total of five catches for 44 yards in Weeks 3 and 4 combined. It's been a roller-coaster type season for the 2014 first-round pick, who has two of the four longest receptions in the NFL this season to go along with 736 yards and six touchdowns.
One of the most explosive playmakers in the league, Cooks does have a point about wanting more targets, but the Saints offense is patented on spreading the ball around. There's never going to be one guy catching all the passes in the NFL's leading passing offense. During Drew Brees and Sean Payton's tenure in New Orleans, no Saints wide receiver has ever made the Pro Bowl.
After voicing concerns in Week 4, Cooks responded with a 173-yard day in his next game. Could he be in for another bounce back on Sunday? He'll match up with Darius Slay and the Detroit Lions in Week 13.