The Los Angeles Rams improved to 2-0 in the preseason after shutting out the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams cruised to a 34-0 win behind the contributions of their defense, including safety Alex Cook, who returned a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Cook signed with the Rams in late July after spending some time in the United Football League and was thrilled to have a moment of that magnitude, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It’s definitely a blessing,” Cook said. “I mean, coming from the UFL, I dreamed of being back in this back in the NFL, and my last game in the UFL, I was grateful to get a pick-six. I was dreaming, like, ‘Man, if I could get one more pick-six back in the NFL, that would make my whole life.’ And thank God I was able to get one today.”
Cook explained how the play came to be and said he was following Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler’s eyes the entire way:
“We were in a typical Cover 4. I felt the bat go out, I felt the seven route by the tight end, I knew that spot route was gonna come sit right at the end zone, and I was just waiting for the QB to throw it,” Cook said, recalling what he saw on the play. “And I kind of held my inside leverage, and once I saw his eyes progress to the spot route, I just went ahead and jumped it, and thankfully I was able to catch it in stride and take it to take it to the house.”
Cook began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent parts of two seasons there before having brief stints with the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. Cook most recently played for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.
He has been a pleasant surprise for the Rams and is trying to make their initial 53-man roster as a depth player. Even if he doesn’t make the final cuts, L.A. could still try to sign Cook to their practice squad.
Alex Cook appreciates support from Rams teammates
When Cook returned his interception for a touchdown, the Rams defense mobbed him as if they had known him for years. The 27-year-old praised his teammates for making him feel at home with his new team:
“That was so cool,” Cook said. “I mean, that’s a testament of this team and the culture Sean McVay has built. And yeah, since the first day I’ve gotten here, I felt like I was part of the family already, and it’s just been a blessing.
“… And I just feel right at home being from California, too,” added Cook, who starred at Sheldon High School in Elk Grove, a suburb of Sacramento. “So that definitely helps.”
Cook already has some familiarity with the Rams, having shared the field with Puka Nacua and Trent McDuffie during their time together at the University of Washington.
