TEXANS "CULTURE" TAKES ANOTHER HIT

Texans' Brandin Cooks has been traded so many times, and maybe we're starting to understand why

Texans' Brandin Cooks has been traded so many times, and maybe we're starting to understand why
Extending Brandin Cooks clearly looks like a huge mistake. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
Making sense of the extreme Vegas projections for Houston Texans

According to multiple reports, Texans WR Brandin Cooks will not be playing Thursday night against the undefeated Eagles because of, get this, "personal reasons."

Yeah, you read that correctly. Cooks is upset he didn't get traded and went on social media this week to express his frustration over his situation.

The guy that was brought in as a great culture fit, is seemingly refusing to play in the Texans' only prime time game of the season because the team couldn't trade him and his massive contract before the deadline. And to go a step further, the Texans' only other legit WR, Nico Collins, is out with an injury. Yeah, great culture guy. The Texans had to get rid of DeAndre Hopkins who was rumored not to be a culture fit and bring in this dude? Plus, all this comes after Cooks defended Jack Easterby in his media session shortly after Easerby was fired. It's pretty easy to read between the lines here.

For years many have wondered, why has Brandin Cooks been traded so many times? I think we're getting our answer. The Saints traded him, so did the Patriots, the Rams too, and he's not even thirty years old. And I firmly believe the Texans would have traded him if it wasn't for his massive salary and cap hit.

It will be interesting to see if the Texans go after his money if he continues to refuse to play. One thing is for sure, GM Nick Caserio's decision to not trade him at the deadline last year, and give him an untradeable contract extension in the offseason looks like a huge mistake. Cooks knew he was signing up for a rebuilding team when he took the money this offseason. Deal with it! Now, things could change in the coming weeks and maybe the Texans get Cooks back in the fold, but it looks bad right now.

Here's to Nick Caserio not handing out any more contracts that make trades nearly impossible once the player decides he doesn't want to be in Houston anymore. Because, unfortunately, players want out of Houston way too often to not expect it to happen again.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Derek Stingley Jr. snagged two crucial interceptions against Miami. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

The Texans defense came through once again on Sunday, as they were able to hold the Dolphins to just twelve points, helping to secure a 20-12 win for Houston.

Sunday's victory, paired with a Colts loss, also clinched another division title for Houston, which guarantees they'll host a home playoff game. This is significant because Houston has played much better at home, and given some of the NFL's best quarterbacks fits.

However, the offense just hasn't clicked consistently this year, for a variety of reasons.

With all this in mind, how far can this defense take the Texans?

Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from ESPN Houston's Gallant and George weigh in.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome