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Veteran tight end Jared Cook is once again a free agent after completing his one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. With the Packers signing Martellus Bennett to a three-year contract, Cook will be on his third different team in as many seasons. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cook is scheduled to meet with the Seattle Seahawks.
Sources: The #Seahawks are bringing FA tight end Jared Cook, formerly of the #Packers, in for a visit. One of the top targets available.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2017
Cook caught just 30 passes (on 51 targets) for 377 yards and 1 touchdown while with Green Bay. He started five regular season games, played in ten, but missed six due to injury. In postseason play, Cook turned in a stellar performance against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round. Cook caught six balls for 103 yards and a touchdown, but most importantly made this remarkable catch along the sidelines that put Mason Crosby in position to kick the game-winning field goal. He’s otherwise historically been maligned for dropped balls.
The Bears, Lions, and Bills are also interested in his services.
This can only mean one thing: Jimmy Graham is about to get released. The Seahawks TE situation is an interesting one. Jimmy Graham is approaching the final year on his contract, Luke Willson is a free agent, ditto Brandon Williams, and 2016 third-round draft choice Nick Vannett saw limited action as a rookie, although Carroll was singing Vannett’s praises at last month’s NFL Combine, stating that he’ll have a bigger role in next year’s offense. If, and I do mean if, the Seahawks sign Cook, I’d like to think it’s Seattle’s answer to replacing Willson, whom I do not expect (and don’t really want) to be re-signed by the team.