Brandin Cooks struggles to explain why he's been traded NFL record four times in less than 10 years

New Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks put his name in the history books this week when the Texans traded him for an NFL record-tying fourth time in his less than 10 years in the league.

Asked why he believes he’s moved across the country several times, Cooks simply told reporters, “I don’t know.”

“I really can’t answer that, honestly,” Cooks said on Monday. “You ask my teammates, any coaches I’ve been a part of, I would think they would say I’ve been one of the best teammates they’ve had.

“I’ve really never gotten upset because, obviously, that means someone out there wants me to be a part of their group to forego some great draft picks. I think it’s special because it means I didn’t get to free agency. People are jumping up and down to get to me before I get there. That’s the way I look at it. I look at it in a positive light.”

Cowboys to pair veteran with CeeDee Lamb

Unlike the typical NFL journeyman, Cooks was a first-round draft pick in 2014 and he has only ever moved teams via trades. He doesn’t have a cut or release on his resume and two of his trades sent first-round picks to his former teams.

One unnamed NFL executive told Yahoo Sports‘ Jori Epstein that teams have tried to make him a No. 1 WR, and paid for it too, when Cooks should really be a No. 2 receiver. When Dallas picked him up this week, that’s exactly what they intended. They’re pairing Cooks with CeeDee Lamb who’s emerged as the team’s top target over the last two seasons.

“He’s probably a No. 2 who has been paid as a No. 1 for most of his career,” the exec said. “He’s a complementary piece, one of [the] best in [the] NFL. But people who have acquired him likely viewed him as a primary threat. which he isn’t.”

Cooks ‘hungrier’ than ever

Cooks wanted to join a Super Bowl contender and he found just that with the Cowboys. After winning just 11 games in the last three years with the Houston Texans, the new Cowboys wide receiver says he is as hungry as ever for wins.

“I couldn’t be hungrier,” Cooks told reporters after inking his new deal. “When you have those 3 years under your belt, that’s definitely fueling the fire and hunger to help my team win. I can’t wait. I truly can’t.”

Months ago, the Cowboys explored the possibility of adding Cooks ahead of their playoff run, which ended in the second round. Instead, Dallas picked up T.Y. Hilton. Hilton finished the year with 10 catches for 159 yards.

Cooks commented on the missed connection last season, saying “better late than never.”

“Better late than never,” Cooks said. “I’m extremely excited and blessed for the opportunity to come to a worldly organization like this. I can’t wait to get to work with the guys and go out and win some games.”