Sources have revealed that the Cowboys and Texans were in discussions about a deal for Cooks prior to last year's trade deadline, but were unable to reach an agreement. However, Cooks' $18 million salary in 2023 is now guaranteed, and he has restructured his contract accordingly. Under the new terms, Houston will pay $6 million of his salary this season, with the remaining $12 million being paid by Dallas. Cooks is contracted until 2024.   

Cooks expressed his gratitude to the Jones family for this opportunity in a text message to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. The Cowboys' decision to acquire Cooks comes after trading Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns last year for a fifth-round pick, leaving them with only James Washington and Jalen Tolbert as replacements. Unfortunately, Washington suffered an injury in training camp and played in only two games without a catch, while Tolbert caught just two passes as a rookie. With Michael Gallup returning from injury, the Cowboys were criticized for not doing enough to replace Cooper.


 Cooks is expected to complement the speed of Lamb and Gallup, both of whom are predicted to have a better year in their second year after surgery.  Despite catching 57 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games last season, Cooks had expressed his dissatisfaction with Houston and stated that he did not wish to be part of a rebuild.