Update:
Ian Rapoport confirms that the Patriots made a “hard run” to sign TE Jared Cook. However, he’s still in exclusive negotiations with the Saints and the two parties are “very close” to a deal.
Even so, Rapoport says that nothing is signed between the Saints and Cook as of right now.
Mike Reiss of ESPN, citing a source close to TE Jared Cook, reports that the Patriots “aggressively courted” him during free agency before he agreed to sign with the Saints last week.
It’s worth mentioning that Cook’s contract with the Saints hasn’t been officially announced, despite reports first surfacing last week.
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski‘s status remains uncertain, while he mulls returning for the 2019 season, so it’s a big surprise to hear that New England was in the mix for one of the best available tight ends.
However, with the looming possibility that Gronkowski could return, it appears as though Cook felt better about his role with the Saints.
The Patriots were also in WRs Adam Humphries and Cole Beasley in free agency, according to reports.
Cook, 31, is a former third-round pick by the Titans in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played out his rookie contract with Tennessee before signing a big-money deal with the Rams as a free agent back in 2013.
After he was released by the Rams, the Packers signed Cook to a one-year, $2.75 million back in 2016. Cook would later depart Green Bay in 2017 and agree to a two-year, $12.2 million contract with the Raiders.
In 2018, Cook played all 16 games for the Raiders and caught 68 passes for 896 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated Cook as the No. 9 tight end out of 70 qualifying players.
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