Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) looks on during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The NFL offseason is a time for rest and recovery, but it’s also a great time to build team chemistry. That is something New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough took advantage of this week.
Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Cooks organized a throwing session for Saints’ quarterbacks and pass-catchers in Beaverton, Ore. The script for the session was created by Shough.
In attendance were Shough and Cooks along with quarterbacks Jake Haener and Hunter Dekkers and wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed among others.
Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler was not present, but for good reason as he hosted his annual South Carolina youth football camp.
“I had such a great time here… I want to come back each year and give back.”#Saints📷 QB and former #Gamecock QB1@SpencerRattler on why he makes it point to return to Columbia every year to give back 🏈@abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/4PppCKEkvm
— Chaz R Frazier (@Chazf_tv) July 1, 2025
While at the Manning Passing Academy this year, Shough mentioned the organized throwing session with Cooks and other receivers.
“Immediately we’re going to go throw in Oregon and Dallas and we’ll get some receivers,” he told reporters. “It’ll be good to connect with them and – like I said before – there’s a sense of urgency and we’ve got to get going,”
It’s a great example of building relationships ahead of training camp. Shough is taking a lot of the right steps to get ready as he and Rattler are set to battle for the starting job. Rattler though isn’t far behind, having already had a throwing session with Cooks in Arizona, per Underhill, with another to be organized soon.
Both quarterbacks are building chemistry and confidence with their pass-catchers, which should make the training camp battle all the more exciting.
