NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Packers are "set to sign" free agent TE Jared Cook.

[Pugger]

Packer Report @PackerReport 28m28 minutes ago
Apparently he talked to Rodgers late last week. Cook’s goal was to land with best team and QB. Mission accomplished.

If he really was a leader, he would have talked KC into taking the Packers pick for Tony Gonzalez.

Aaron could talk that GM from KC trade Tony to us?

[pbmax]

Freebie from gnb.Scout.com

Playing with Rodgers was the major reason why Cook chose the Packers after receiving strong interest from several teams — with the Bears, Panthers and Texans among the suitors. With the deal in place last week, Cook struck up a phone conversation with his new quarterback.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/packers/story/1655740-packers-sign-big-play-tight-end-cook

[pbmax]

JSO: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/373716471.html

With Rodgers and Cook likely to fill the top two spots on the depth chart, the Packers are likely to move on from tight end Andrew Quarless, an unrestricted free agent. At 27 years old Quarless is younger than Cook, who turns 29 in April, but he is coming off the least productive year of his career.

Quarless spent the majority of the season on injured reserve/designated to return and appeared in only five games for the Packers. The former fifth-round draft pick of the Packers caught four passes for 31 yards and did not reach the end zone.

If Quarless does not return, the Packers still enter the spring with five tight ends on the roster. Behind Rodgers and Cook will be former sixth-round pick Kennard Backman, Justin Perillo and Mitchell Henry.

[mraynrand]

What if he is the Sean Young model Rachael?

Mark Murphy: I didn't know how long we had together... Who does?

TT is not sexy. At least not sexy picks and FAs. And he looks a lot more like Rutger Hauer.

[mraynrand]

With the deal in place last week, Cook struck up a phone conversation with his new quarterback.

top questions:

1) Will you throw to me when covered?
2) Will you throw to me in the flat only when I can be immediately tackled?
3) How erratic do you expect to be this year?
4) Why don't you get along well with Stubby*






*Cook will actually say 'Stubby'

[Carolina_Packer]

So I'm confused, does this count as a Free Agent signing or not?

Depends on who is regarding that question!

To TT, it's the best kind. The player was cut and cleared waivers and will likely not cause him to lose any compensatory pick in next year's draft.

To the Packer fans who want to complement draft and develop with a reasonable signing, this checks that box.

To the fans who agree with the way Ron Wolf and Mike Sherman used to use free agency, it may not do it for them.

It counts for me.

[George Cumby]

top questions:

1) Will you throw to me when covered?
2) Will you throw to me in the flat only when I can be immediately tackled?
3) How erratic do you expect to be this year?
4) Why don't you get along well with Stubby*






*Cook will actually say 'Stubby'

5). Do we have 'chemistry'?

[Fritz]

6) Will you throw high so I have to lay out to make the catch just before a 6'-0" 220 lb safety smashes into my ribs?

[Cheesehead Craig]

7) Are you (Rodgers) in decline and thus will negatively affect my client's stats and further contract negotiating power?

[MadScientist]

Cook: Can you make me rich?
Rodgers: Can you get open and catch the damn ball?

[MadScientist]

So I'm confused, does this count as a Free Agent signing or not?

Street free agent has the words "free agent" in it, so it counts. Peppers was also in that category, so street free agent does not equal garbage.

[Patler]

So I'm confused, does this count as a Free Agent signing or not?

Street free agent has the words "free agent" in it, so it counts. Peppers was also in that category, so street free agent does not equal garbage.

I think it counts for every GM except TT. Even some of the local writers have been trying to make a distinction between "unrestricted free agents" and "street free agents". The truth of the matter is that a street free agent is also unrestricted, even more so since he can sign from the day he is released. To those who think it is awful that TT seems to focus on those whose signing won't jeopardize compensatory pick awards, I would ask this; isn't that another "cost" involved in free agent signings? Why shouldn't a GM take that into consideration?

[SMBASS]

Four NFC teams competed for Jared Cook's services since the beginning of the tampering period: The #Falcons, #Panthers, #Bears and #Packers.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 28, 2016

Lol...I knew the damn Bears would get in on this somehow after they traded Bennett to the Pats. Thank goodness Cook decided to play with a real QB instead.


Base value of Jared Cook's deal with #Packers is 1 year, $2.75 million. The other $900K available in incentives for catches, TDs, Pro Bowl.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 28, 2016

Cook's one-year, $2.75M contract includes $1.425M base, $825K signing bonus, $475K roster and $25K workout bonuses. Another $900K incentives
— Weston Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) March 28, 2016

I really like this deal for a number of reasons even though it could possibly end up being a 1 year rental. It appears as though Cook should be highly motivated since he opted for the 1 year, "Show Me" contract instead of accepting the Packer's original 2 year offer. He knows with A.R. throwing to him and the Packers potential on offense he could end up having a big year and getting a better contract next year. Maybe it will turn into a re-signing by the Pack if all parties are happy with the outcome at the end of the year.

With the return of Jordy and Monty, Abby and Janis having an additional year in the system, Eddie getting back in shape and hopefully returning to his old form and the addition of Cook, this offense has the potential to be excellent again if the line can stay healthy and we can figure out how to keep A.R. on his feet and not continuously running for his life.

I also like how this should allow Ted to concentrate on drafting for both lines and not have to think about reaching for a player in a very slim TE draft.

[pbmax]

I think it counts for every GM except TT. Even some of the local writers have been trying to make a distinction between "unrestricted free agents" and "street free agents". The truth of the matter is that a street free agent is also unrestricted, even more so since he can sign from the day he is released. To those who think it is awful that TT seems to focus on those whose signing won't jeopardize compensatory pick awards, I would ask this; isn't that another "cost" involved in free agent signings? Why shouldn't a GM take that into consideration?

But they really love their TT doesn't sign FAs narrative. So it has to be adjusted occasionally to facts on the ground.

[pbmax]

[QUOTE=SMBASS;879834]Four NFC teams competed for Jared Cook's services since the beginning of the tampering period: The #Falcons, #Panthers, #Bears and #Packers.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 28, 2016
[quote]

I immediately distrust this guy as it was legal to talk to Cook once he cleared waivers.