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Running back Tarik Cohen hasn't played a down in the NFL since 2020. But now with the New York Jets, Cohen is looking for one more opportunity.
New York signed the running back to a one-year contract, via Adam Schefter of ESPN. As the Jets get Cohen acclimated to the offense, head coach Robert Saleh couldn't be more excited to have him on the roster.
“Tarik [is an] explosive playmaker. He's starting to get back healthy. With the new kickoff rules, these kick returners are going to touch the ball over 100 times a year, which is significant. At least that's what we're anticipating. He's still young. Obviously coming off of injuries, but we're excited to have him on board.”
In Week 3 of the 2020 season, Cohen suffered a torn ACL and MCL while breaking his leg. He would be out for the remainder of the year, as well as the entire 2021 campaign. He was ultimately released and recovered from his injury as a free agent.
However, just as Cohen was preparing to make his NFL return, he suffered an Achilles injury during the 2022 offseason. The injury only set him back more and further away from another NFL opportunity.
In 2023 however, Cohen did get his opportunity as he signed onto the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. The injury bug still wasn't quite done with Cohen though, as the running back suffered a hamstring injury. He eventually recovered and was re-activated, but he never made it back into an NFL game. Cohen was released by Carolina following the season.
With all of his injuries now behind him, the Jets are expecting Tarik Cohen to be a sneaky weapon. While he may be a forgotten man of sorts, Saleh and company think he can be useful to the offense. Furthermore, it seems clear that the Jets head coach plans on using Cohen on special teams.
For Cohen to succeed in New York, the first step is simply staying on the field. But if he can play a full season, the Jets seem intrigued by what the running back brings to the table.
Tarik Cohen joins Jets running back room
Over his four years with the Bears, Cohen ran for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns. He added 1,575 yards and nine scores through the air. Much of that production came during the 2018 season, in which Cohen was named an All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl for the first and only time in his career. The running back gained 444 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 725 yards and five scores in the pass game.
With the Jets, Cohen will be behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda, who are holdovers from the 2024 team. Hall is the undisputed leader in New York's backfield after running for 994 yards and five touchdowns all season. The Jets are only expecting more with Aaron Rodgers re-joining the fold.
Cohen will also seemingly be behind rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who the Jets took in the fourth and fifth-round respectively. It seems unlikely New York would use draft capital to then give Cohen playing time over them. However, the veteran back could surprise.
In terms of potential special teams use, the Jets ranked 17th in kickoff return average in 2023, averaging 22.6 yards per game. They were a little better in the punt return department, ranking 14th by averaging 9.7 yards per return. While the Jets have options, Tarik Cohen gives New York a different element.
It'll be hard for Cohen to truly carve a role in New York's backfield. But it's clear Robert Saleh and company have big plans for the running back. He'll need to get fully healthy, but Cohen's NFL return train is back on track and running through MetLife Stadium.
