The door opened even wider for tight end Jared Cook to leave the Green Bay Packers once the team signed two tight ends during free agency. It was just a matter of him finding the right team and deal on the open market. That occurred on Thursday night when he came to the terms of a deal with the Oakland Raiders.
Cooking up a new deal
According to ESPN sources, Cook will be signed a two-year contract with the Raiders. The first year is guaranteed at $5 million, while the full contract value is $12.2 million. There is also an injury guarantee in the second year of the contract, a big deal for someone who signed a risky one-year deal with the Packers a season ago.
In Cook, the Raiders are getting an athletic tight end with a checkered past on the field. He missed six games with an ankle injury last season. When he did hit the field, he was effective, catching three touchdowns and averaging 12.6 yards per catch. His biggest play as a member of the Packers came in the NFC Divisional Round when he made a spectacular sideline catch to set up a game-winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys.
Moving forward
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers practically demanded the Packers re-sign Cook after last season, citing his return as a top priority for the team. His presence in Green Bay became expendable, however, when the team decided to go in a different direction in free agency.
They brought in Martellus Bennett from the New England Patriots and Lance Kendricks from the Los Angeles Rams, giving Rodgers new dynamic players to work with at the tight end position.
Meanwhile, the Packers' loss is a gain for the Raiders. After a breakout season from quarterback Derek Carr, the team was looking for new weapons to help further Carr's future candidacy as an NFL MVP and the team's future hopes of a Super Bowl, whether that be in the Bay Area or Las Vegas. Cook fulfills those goals during a relatively quiet offseason for the team, as they hope roster stability is the key to another playoff berth next season.
