Tight end Jared Cook had the best years of his career during his short two-year run with the Oakland Raiders, but now, Cook is playing for the New Orleans Saints after signing with the Saints via free agency.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is not happy about the loss, saying that he is “sickened” by losing Cook, according to Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area. Gruden also added that Cook's departure leaves “a lot of production to replace.”
Due to Oakland's offseason spending spree, the Raiders were simply not able to afford to retain Cook, who landed a two-year, $15.5 million contract from New Orleans.
Cook is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he hauled in 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns en route to the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
The 31-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (89th pick overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
He had a quiet first couple of seasons in the league before breaking out in 2011, catching 49 passes for 759 yards and three scores.
Cook proceeded to spend his first four seasons with the Titans before making his way to the St. Louis Rams in 2013. He resided in St. Louis for three seasons, posting 671, 634 and 481 yards, respectively.
The Birmingham, Al. native then joined the Green Bay Packers for one disappointing campaign before finally linking up with the Raiders in 2017, where he snared 54 balls for 688 yards and a couple of scores in his first season with the club.
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