Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a very good season in 2015. That subpar season (by his own standards), however, is still probably better than any season Nick Foles or Case Keenum could ever dream of having. That was not lost on the newest member of the Green Bay Packers, tight end Jared Cook.
Cook said one of his priorities in finding a new team after being released by the Los Angeles Rams was playing with a top-tier quarterback.
Jared Cook on joining @packers & Aaron Rodgers: "It's imperative to join [a QB] that could get the job done." pic.twitter.com/zzv8x6dq0P
— Andy Mac (@AndyMacSports) March 29, 2016
You’re welcome to take that as a slap in the face to Foles and Keenum, the primary signal callers for the Rams last season, but let’s be honest.
Neither of those guys are very good.
After starting the season with Foles, who threw just seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, the Rams turned to Keenum as their starter with five games left. He tossed a whopping four touchdowns in the six total games he played in, while averaging 138 yards per game.
Rodgers could average 138 yards per game after having his throwing arm amputated.
With that type of quarterback play in St. Louis, Cook caught just 39 passes for 481 yards and no touchdowns.
A lot of people like to point out that last statistic.
Zero touchdowns.
It does hang out there like a matzo ball.
But consider this. The Rams quarterbacks combined for only 11 touchdown passes all season.
That’s not a typo.
Eleven!
All season!
Perhaps the Rams didn’t get the memo that this is a passing league. Or perhaps they weren’t aware that you actually need a quarterback to throw the football.
Rodgers had 11 touchdown passes after four weeks in 2015.
And now he has a tight end that can get down the field. Despite his subpar numbers in other categories, Cook did average 12.3 yards per reception in 2015. That’s a big improvement over incumbent Richard Rodgers’ 8.8 per reception.
So, now Cook has a quarterback and Rodgers has a tight end.
And soon we’ll really see what’s up.