Jared Cook finally made the playoffs as a member of the Green Bay Packers last season, but which team is likely to end up with in 2017.
For the first time in his NFL career, Jared Cook made the playoffs in 2016. Not only did Cook play meaningful games late in the season for the first time, but he also came up with one of the biggest plays of the playoff season. His late catch against the Dallas Cowboys set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning field goal, sending the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Championship Game.
Despite an ankle injury limiting him early in the year, forcing him to miss six games, Cook came on strong for the Packers playoff run. As the calendar switches to 2017, he is entering free agency, and has the option to sign with anyone he wants to. Here are five potential landing spots for the talented tight end.
The Dallas Cowboys had an incredible season in 2016, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC Playoffs. However, their dream season came to a screeching halt in their first playoff game, losing to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. Jared Cook played a big role in that game, as his huge catch late in the game set up the game-winning field goal. The Cowboys should once again be loaded in 2017, and adding Cook may not be a bad idea.
Cook is not going to garner big money, and while the Cowboys still have Jason Witten at tight end, he is starting to get up there in age. He is still very much a productive player, but adding Cook alongside him, especially in the red zone, could actually keep him active for a few more years. Dallas will be looking to finally get off the playoff snide in 2017, so the more weapons they can add to an already dangerous offense is going to be key.
Current backup tight end Gavin Escobar is a free agent, and he will likely be looking to move somewhere he can be a starter. While Cook will obviously want to start as well next season, you have to think playing for a team like the Cowboys has to be enticing. They have a solid young quarterback entering his second season, an incredible wide receiver in Dez Bryant, and running back Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2016.
All the pieces are in place for the Cowboys to be an elite team for sometime, and Cook may want to throw his hat into the mix as he enters his age 29 season.