10:46am: It’s a done deal, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, who tweets that Cook signed his new contract moments ago.
9:31am: It will be a one-year deal worth $3.6MM for Cook with the Packers, tweets Rapoport. Pelissero clarifies (via Twitter) that $3.65MM is the max value, with incentives.
According to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link), the Falcons, Panthers, and Bears also had interest in Cook before he agreed to sign with Green Bay.
8:05am: The Packers are set to become the last team in the NFL to sign a player to a free agent contract in the 2016 league year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that tight end Jared Cook is in Green Bay and is expected to sign with the Packers.
Cook visited Green Bay earlier in the free agent period, and was one of the few outside free agents in whom the Packers displayed any interest. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), the veteran tight end completed a deal with the club last Thursday, and things are just being formalized today — Cook will sign after taking a physical.
Having spent his last three seasons with the Rams, Cook was released by the team in February, allowing him to hit the open market early. Although he perhaps didn’t live up to his lucrative contract in St. Louis, Cook still posted relatively solid numbers during his three seasons with the club. From 2013 to 2015, he averaged approximately 47 receptions, 595 yards, and three touchdowns per year.
Tight end Richard Rodgers had something of a breakout season for the Packers in 2015, catching 58 balls for 510 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he was used as more of a check-down target rather than a downfield threat. Cook, who will turn 29 next month, gives the club a bit more of a dynamic pass-catching target at the position, something the Packers haven’t really had since they employed Jermichael Finley.
Of course, the Packers aren’t typically very active in free agency, as their lack of activity up until now has shown. When they do explore the market though, GM Ted Thompson and the team’s decision-makers often prefer players who have been released by other clubs, since those free agents don’t count toward the draft compensatory pick formula for the following season. Cook fits that bill.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
i really like this move for the Packers. With the return of Nelson and the addition of a pass-catching TE that other defenses actually will have to prepare for, Green Bay’s offense should return to form in 2016. Plus, Richard Rodgers remains a solid No. 2 option at tight end.
One less position to fill via the draft this year. Now they can focus on finding anILB and OL depth.
Really, really solid move for the Pack
This move makes sense in a vacuum for Green Bay, given Cook’s potential to work the seams for Aaron Rodgers. But it’s interesting the Packers, who are generally terrified of free agency, to dive in for one of the most inconsistent players on the market. It’s true there could be value here based on Cook’s tools, but you’d think a team that operates almost entirely in-house would pursue a safer option. Cook’s career, though, hasn’t included an upper-echelon quarterback. This will be by far his best opportunity to make good on the potential he’s on the verge of squandering.
He may be inconsistent but just the threat or presence of a big, fast TE running down the middle opens up things for everyone else. The Pack hasn’t anybody like Cook since Jermichael Finley retired.
This is an underrated signing.
This dude has always been able to run and I will violently disagree with the comment about an ” Inconsistent Jared Cook”.
Take one look at the starting QBs Jared’s had since his career started in 2009. (# of starts listed)
1. Vince Young (18)
2. Kerry Collins (13)
3. Rusty Smith (1)
4. Matt Hasselbeck (21)
5. Jake Locker (11)
6. Sam Bradford (9)
7. Kellen Clemens (7)
8. Austin Davis (8)
9. Shaun Hill (8)
10. Nick Foles (11)
11. Case Keenum (5)
That’s a list of busts, over-the-hill #2 vets, nobodies and journeymen. Eleven starters in 7 seasons.
Not to mention, if I’m not mistaken his entire career has been with Jeff Fisher, who isn’t exactly a passing offense guru.
Let’s see what McCarthy and Co. can draw up for Jared.
And by the way, Jared Cook was released and thus, won’t count against Compensatory Draft compensation (for the UFA losses of Tolzien, Heyward, etc.)
Does this mean they will pass on Hunter Henry in the 1st or 2nd and look at a Jerell Adams in the 3rd or 4th? If that’s the case they can focus on holes at ILB, NT, OL and Corner in the 1st 3 rounds.