Smith on newly extended Texans WR Cooks: 'It seems like whenever you talk about Brandin, anyone, they talk about leadership'

The Houston Texans have awarded wide receiver Brandin Cooks a two-year contract extension, according to a report from NFL.com. The move essentially squashes rumors that the Texans were looking to ship Cooks elsewhere for a higher draft pick.

The report said that the deal is worth nearly $40 million with $36 million in guarantees. Simply put, Cooks will occupy the No. 1 receiver spot through at least 2024.

ESPN reported that the 28-year-old Cooks was in the last year of a contract he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and restructured by the Texans in 2021.

A native Californian, Cooks came to Houston in 2020 by way of a trade with the Rams for a second-round draft pick that became Van Jefferson.

Texans head coach Lovie Smith, who was hired earlier this year to replace the terminated David Culley, touted Cooks as a leader.

"It seems like whenever you talk about Brandin, anyone, they talk about leadership," Smith said, according to ESPN. "You don't say that about everybody. You have to do something really well in order for people to describe you that way."

NFL.com reported that Cooks caught a career-high 90 catches for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns last season, his second in Houston. 

According to the website, the former 2014 first-rounder from Oregon State has accumulated six 1,000-yard seasons during his eight-year career.

Aside from the Texans and the Rams, Cooks played for the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots.