The two free agents the Green Bay Packers absolutely had to have back were linebacker Nick Perry and tight end Jared Cook. They accomplished the first on Thursday, but it now appears there’s a real chance they won’t accomplish the second at all.
Talks between the Packers and Cook have broken off. Like guard T.J. Lang, Cook has apparently had enough and will look at other options.
Contract talks between the Packers and free-agent TE Jared Cook have broken off, per source. Cook expected to visit other teams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2017
The teams we have heard are interested in Cook include Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo.
If you are wondering just what in the hell the Packers are doing right about now, you’re certainly not alone.
It’s entirely possible Cook wants to be paid like one of the top tight ends in the game. While Cook did some good things for the Packers — mostly in the playoffs — he’s coming off a season of 30 catches, 377 yards and one touchdown. He also missed six games to injury.
Those aren’t best-in-the-game numbers. They’re not anywhere near that.
You can be sure the Packers are dangling the playoffs out there in these negotiations as well. Last season was Cook’s first trip to the playoffs in his career. Good luck with playoffs in Chicago or Buffalo…
At any rate, I am just speculating at what’s going on here.
What I can tell you is that, once again, the Packers have painted themselves into a corner, just like they did with Perry. The cupboard is bare at this position if you don’t sign Cook.
You’re not going to pull a No. 1, day one tight end out of the draft. That’s a position that takes at least a year to develop in the pros — even a high draft pick.
In other words, the Packers haven’t effectively stocked the tight end position for years. They either have to (probably) overpay for Cook or they’re a worse team in 2017.
That is, unless they want to replace him with Martellus Bennett.
That fucking asshole (TT). Marcellus Bennett will be more expensive than Cook, but might be the better value depending on what Cook wants. Bennett is the better blocker
Agreed…..
Problem is not only that hes letting good players go, but that they are all talking to and will potentially end up signing w other NFC North teams…. Would be less of a problem if they all joined JC in Cleveland, trying to make Osweiller look good…
I predict Dav House will be TTs only FA signing after the smoke clears.. While Lions, Vikes and Bears continue to add fill their needs….. (though Glennon is not the answer for Chi)….
Rodgers is going to be PISSED!!!! So is coach Mike.
Ted is letting other teams make their move on our guys, then we have to overbid them. That “I don’t call you” game will only be advantageous IF the other teams show no interest in our guys. And if that is the case, our guy is probably just depth, not a starting caliber player. But some guys are clearly worth keeping, like Cook, and so far he said he had no offers from GB. With Cook they even have the “did you like to be in the playoffs? Does it feel good to have a passer that knows what he is doing?” lines to convince him to accept a little discount.
Bennett on the other hand is now interested in big contracts, having his prior SB season for showcasing his contributions. I remember that he made the point about having proven himself, so teams would have to pay him accordingly now.
Another point: TEs are a bit of a mystery. They take their time to transition, even first rounders get spoken about after 2 or 3 seasons. But you often see guys that are not that physically gifted, or even at ages past what is considered the athletic prime, and somehow they get open and receive. Owen Daniels, and the old Tony Gonzalez are examples of this. If the guy is also athletic, he can be a deeper threat aside from being a reliable 3rd down converter. Think Gronk, Cook or Olsen. Bottom line: we need Cook or a proven veteran if we expect some production from the TE position NOW.
Cook will suck once again with anyone but Rodgers throwing him the ball. Here are his Career stats. Rodgers makes every person catching the ball 10x better. See Julius Thomas former superstar in Denver, turned a to NOBODY in Jacksonville. He is physically gifted and I hope he is back but cmon you are not Antonio Gates. He has 17 CAREER Touchdowns, in the same time 2009-2016 Antonio Gates has 68.
Year Team G GS Receiving Fumbles
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
2009 TEN 14 0 9 74 8.2 17 0 0 0
2010 TEN 16 1 29 361 12.4 36 1 0 0
2011 TEN 16 5 49 759 15.5 80 3 2 2
2012 TEN 13 5 44 523 11.9 61 4 1 1
2013 STL 16 13 51 671 13.2 47 5 1 1
2014 STL 16 6 52 634 12.2 59 3 0 0
2015 STL 16 12 39 481 12.3 49 0 2 1
2016 GB 10 5 30 377 12.6 47 1 1 1
Total 117 47 303 3,880 12.8 80 17 7 6
Source: NFL.com
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