The New Orleans Saints managed to make a splash with the signing of tight end Jared Cook, although he hasn't technically signed the contract. It appears they had some competition for his services in the form of the New England Patriots.
Cook was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this offseason. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots made a serious inquiry for him.
Similar to how the Patriots made an aggressive pitch to receiver Adam Humphries in free agency and didn't close the deal, a source close to tight end Jared Cook said the Patriots aggressively courted him before Cook elected to sign with the Saints late last week.
New England's interest is certainly understandable. Rob Gronkowski made the decision earlier today to retire from the NFL. New England now has to find a way to replace his production late in the offseason.
There is no completely replacing a tight end of Gronkowski's caliber. Although his receiving numbers have declined in recent years, he is still one of the premier run blockers at his position. Regardless, Cook would have made for a viable alternative in the passing game. He is coming off a career year that saw him register 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns.
The Patriots will have to look elsewhere assuming Cook does sign with the Saints. Finding a potential replacement for Gronkowski will not be easy, but it will be necessary if they hope to defend their crown next season.
Follow Us
Subscribe