Jared Cook Signed With Green Bay Packers Because Of Aaron Rodgers
Jared Cook was one of the best free agents left on the market last week, and the Green Bay Packers were in need of an upgrade at the tight end position. It seemed like a match made in heaven, but Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson is not normally known for pursuing free agents. After a short period of waiting, the Packers signed Cook to a one-year, $3.6 million contract.
Other teams were interested in Cook, but the Packers had one thing that other teams didn’t. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL, and there is no other team that has a quarterback like him.
Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette shared one of Cook’s quotes from his conference call that showed that Cook chose the Packers to play with Rodgers.
Jared Cook on teleconference said Aaron Rodgers drew him to GB "It was imperative that I find a person who's known for getting the job done"
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) March 29, 2016
Here are more of the quotes that Cook left for the media during his conference call.
“You’ve seen the history of tight ends who have been successful in this offense in the past. (I) want to build a rapport with the quarterback.”
Green Bay is going to give Cook a stage to showcase all of his talent when playing with a star quarterback. He hasn’t had a legitimate star throughout his NFL career, which has hampered his ability to become one of the top producing tight ends. Now that he has Rodgers, he will finally be able to trust that the ball will get to him.
Looking ahead at the 2016 season, the Green Bay aerial attack could be very dangerous. Randall Cobb will be back, with Jordy Nelson and Cook joining him. Green Bay will also have Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis, Richard Rodgers, and Ty Montgomery for Rodgers to work with.
During the 2015 season with the St. Louis Rams, Cook had a very frustrating year. He caught just 39 passes for 481 yards and didn’t haul in a single touchdown. That is expected to change this season with his new team.
It will be very interesting to see how this signing ends up working out for both sides. Cook could end up falling flat and not showing the leaps of improvement that many expect him to make alongside of Rodgers. On the other hand, there is a chance that he could flourish in Green Bay’s offensive system and be one of the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL.
Thompson making a move for a free agent normally ends up working out well for the Packers. Head coach Mike McCarthy was also very excited to welcome Cook to the team and was impressed with him during their free agency meeting.
He is definitely coming into Green Bay with a little chip on his shoulder, trying to prove that he belongs.
Green Bay should be very excited to have him on board and Cook will likely become a Packers’ fan favorite very quickly. He will remind a lot of fans of former star tight end Jermichael Finley, although he may end up being a better fit. Cook has everything on his side in this new situation and he needs to take advantage of it and put together a huge 2016 season.
Do you think Jared Cook will turn his career around with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback?
[Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images]
