Green Bay Packers: Jared Cook Shines Right Away

After missing the start of training camp for the Green Bay Packers, tight end Jared Cook wasted little time impressing his new teammates in his first practice.

The Green Bay Packers needed to do some upgrading after losing to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs last season. The Packers offense clearly struggled at times in 2015, as the absence of Jordy Nelson was too much to overcome at times. Even though Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he couldn’t do it on his own.

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This offseason, the Packers were able to sign tight end Jared Cook to help give them another solid player at the tight end position. Since being drafted in the third-round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, Cook has become a very consistent tight end in the NFL.

While playing for the then St. Louis Rams the last three seasons, Cook was able to play in every game and totaled 142 receptions, 1,786 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. Last season was a bit of a down year for Cook, as the poor quarterback situation in St. Louis resulted in him totaling just 39 receptions in a poor passing offense.

In 2016, Cook can look forward to having one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL throwing him the ball, and that chemistry began to build during a night practice for the Packers. The Packers activated Cook from the PUP list earlier in the day, and he wasted no time getting acquainted with Rodgers.

On just the third play of the practice, Cook and Rodgers connected for the first time as teams for a 20-yard gain on a catch in traffic. Considering it was the first time since OTA’s that the two have worked together, it looked like there was no rust for their chemistry or for Cook, who was coming back from foot surgery.

Even though Cook only totaled eight receiving touchdowns with the Rams in three seasons, he will be a big boost to the Packers’ red zone offense in 2015 as a big 6’5” target for Rodgers. If Nelson is slow to return from the PUP list, having Cook will be even more important for the Packers’ offense, as they would then be in a need of some help.

Last season, Randall Cobb proved that he could not be a No.1 wide receiver, and Davante Adams disappointed as well when he was asked to step up. The one player that did step up when Nelson was out, however, was tight end Richard Rodgers. In 2015, Rodgers was able to set career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Rodgers’ eight receiving touchdowns were also tied for first on the team last season with James Jones.

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If Cook is able to set healthy after surgery and build chemistry with his quarterback throughout training camp, he will be an excellent addition. Having two tight ends will also give the Packers’ offense some new flexibility in their formations, while also giving them some insurance in case Nelson isn’t 100 percent.