Even though the Bears added Dion Sims to their stockpile of depth at tight end, Jared Cook (formerly of the Packers) could be in play:
Bears have also shown interest in TE Jared Cook, joining the Lions and Bills in that hunt. (Dowell Loggains coached Cook in Ten.)
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
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Cook will play in his age 30 season in 2017, so he doesn’t necessarily fit the bill of a young, up-and-coming type. However, he could be a steady influence on an otherwise young group of pass catchers at the position.
In fact, if the Bears don’t land a player who can ascend to become a No. 1 wide receiver, isn’t the team better off with multiple tight ends who can make plays in the passing game to compensate for the lack of skill and upside at the receiver position? With Zach Miller’s 2016 season ending early thanks to a broken foot, it’s hard to know what the Bears will get out of the 32-year-old. Even with Sims in the fold, you can make an argument in favor of adding Cook.
It’s been an odd first few days of free agency for Cook, whose now former team decided to move on from him and instead sign old friend Martellus Bennett. There were reports that the Packers were actually set to pay Cook more than they ultimately paid Bennett, but Cook has denied that he turned down such an offer from the team. Cool missed time in 2016 with an ankle injury, but was still impactful down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.
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