Packers: Randall Cobb’s next TD puts him in elite company
By Jerry Tapp
Randall Cobb’s NFL debut with the Green Bay Packers on September 8, 2011, may go down as not only one of the best debuts in team history, but it may also be one of the best debuts by any NFL rookie.
After finding the end zone on a 32-yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter of his first career regular season game in the league, Cobb later in the contest took a kickoff 108 yards for his second TD.
Cobb’s two TDs in the Pack’s opening game win, 42-34, over the New Orleans Saints is one of 30 times in Green Bay history that a rookie has scored two or more TDs in a game. Cobb is the only Packer rookie to tally two TDs in his first game as a Packer.
Twelve years later, the 32-year-old Cobb is still making plays for the Packers (FYI: Cobb has seven receptions this season for 108 yards. His 15.4 yards per catch is currently the highest of his career).
After two one-year layovers in Dallas (2019) and Houston (2020), Cobb is in season two of his second go-round with the Pack. His next TD will put Cobb in some very elite company… not only in the Packers’ history, but also among the best in the NFL.
Cobb, who ranks third on the list of most TD passes caught from Aaron Rodgers (44) scored at least one TD in the first nine of his seasons with Green Bay (he is one of 11 Packers to score a TD in nine or more straight campaigns).
A TD this season will give him a TD in 10 different seasons with the Packers. He would become the ninth Packers player to score a TD in 10 different seasons with the team.
Here is a look at the Packers who have scored a TD in 10 or more different seasons with Green Bay:
Most seasons with a TD for Green Bay
14: Donald Driver
12: Aaron Rodgers
11: Max McGee, Don Hutson
10: Boyd Dowler, Bart Starr, Joe Laws, Clarke Hinkle
Cobb did score a handful of TDs during those two seasons away from Green Bay; he scored on three TD receptions both seasons in Dallas and Houston. A TD this season with the Packers would give him 12 seasons with at least one TD.
He would become the 116th player in NFL history to reach this milestone. Jerry Rice tops the NFL list with 20 seasons with at least one TD. He is followed on the list by Larry Fitzgerald, Irving Fryar, Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten each with 17 seasons with at least one TD.
A TD this season would also give Cobb 12 consecutive seasons with at least one TD. That would make him one of 82 NFL players who had at least one TD in 12 straight years.
Pretty impressive for a second-round pick out of Kentucky.