National Football League

Packers: Will the Aaron Rodgers-to-Jared Cook Connection Work?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

One of the many questions going into the offseason was whether or not Packer’s GM Ted Thompson would go out and find a tight end free agency or draft one out of this year’s rookie crop.

In March the Packers picked up 8-year NFL veteran Jared Cook.  He spent the last 3 years catching balls out of St Louis and the 4 years before that in Nashville.  Cook was highly touted out of South Carolina where he was a semi-finalist for the annual Mackey Award which honors college football’s best TE.

With his 7 years in the NFL Cook has shown signs of being a great NFL TE.  He holds the single-game franchise record for the most receiving yards by a tight end for both the Titans (169 vs. Jacksonville, Dec. 24, 2011) and the Rams (141 vs. Arizona, Sept. 8, 2013).

Yet, there were times where he didn’t look crisp and seemingly had a lack of drive.  It looked like he did not have the trust of the QB as well.  Along with his price tag this led to his contracts not being renewed by the Titans or the Rams.

So, what made Ted Thompson pull the trigger on him?  What was he going to do to keep Cook interested and focused?  It looks like Ted got his answers right away.

Cook had offers from other clubs that had interest.  When it all came down to him choosing a team to sign with he looked for a few criteria.  He wanted an All Pro QB to throw to him.  Check!. He wanted to have a chance to win a Super Bowl.  Check.

Since he got signed , Cook has been waiting to get a chance to work with Packer’s All Pro QB Aaron Rodgers.  His chance got delayed when he had foot surgery that sidelined him during OTAs and into the first two weeks of training camp.

Cook got back to practice during this preseason.  He and Rodgers have been working on their chemistry together since.  Rodgers is getting to work with a TE that has similar assets as one of his past favorite targets, Jermichael Finley.  They both have good size (cook is 6-5), great hands, good route running and speed.

After watching the last preseason game against the 49ers last Friday it is evident that Rodgers looks for Cook as a first or second option on those passing downs.  They seem to be getting on the same page.  Finley made his living in the middle of the field using his speed, height and leaping ability to catch those needed tough yards for a first down or touchdown.  Not only did that help his stats but it also drew a little extra DB coverage toward him.  This freed up guys like Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson along the sideline and the underneath routes.  The Packers offense was a well-oiled machine.  The opposing defense didn’t know who to cover because all of the Packer’s pass catchers could burn them.

This year has the same possibilities with Cook at TE.  His play will allow Rodgers an outlet when the pocket collapses and it will free up Nelson, Randall Cobb and other Packers wide receivers to make plays with less coverage on them.  Throw in Rodgers’ mobility and his ability to thread a needle and we might again see how explosive the Packers offense can be again.

Did Ted Thompson make the right choice bringing Jared Cook on?  I think we shall have our answer quite soon.

More from Lombardi Ave

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League