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3 players Packers shouldn’t have let go in recent seasons

By Freddie Boston

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Casey Hayward #26 of the San Diego Chargers reacts after breaking up a pass to Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers in the 4th quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Casey Hayward #26 of the San Diego Chargers reacts after breaking up a pass to Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers in the 4th quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Jared Cook #89 of the Green Bay Packers runs after a catch in the second half against Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Jared Cook #89 of the Green Bay Packers runs after a catch in the second half against Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Jared Cook

The Green Bay Packers are yet to find a solution at tight end. Jimmy Graham disappointed in his first season with the Packers, and they’ve since used a third-round pick on Jace Sternberger.

Jared Cook played one season in Green Bay, and his performances in the final stretch of the year were key during the “run the table” success.

After missing two months due to injury, Cook returned late in November 2016 and had 24 receptions for 324 yards and a touchdown in the final seven regular season games, and he then made 18 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games. As the season went on, he built a connection with Aaron Rodgers and played with more confidence.

Had he returned in 2017, the Rodgers-to-Cook connection would’ve only improved and he could’ve had a big season. Instead, the Packers’ search for a new tight end continued after Martellus Bennett was released half way through the season and Lance Kendricks only had 203 yards and a touchdown in 16 games in 2017.

And after making 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns with the Oakland Raiders last season, you could certainly argue that Cook would be a better option than Jimmy Graham this year, who finished with 636 yards and two touchdowns in 2018.

Cook is another former Packer who went on to make the Pro Bowl after leaving Green Bay.

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