Tag: Randall Cobb

How Corey Davis’ retirement affects the Jets’ WR depth chart

Corey Davis announced his retirement from the NFL and his departure certainly changes the outlook of the Jets’ depth chart at WR.

Corey Davis has been away from the New York Jets in recent weeks and the veteran wideout announced on Wednesday that he was stepping away from football at 28 years old. While we wish the best for Davis moving forward, his departure does alter the outlook of the Jets’ depth chart at the wide receiver position.

Entering the 2023 season, Davis was in the final year of a three-year, $37.5 million deal that he signed with the Jets in free agency ahead of the 2021 season. Even though the Jets brought in Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb this offseason, Davis was still slated to have a role in the offense after the team elected to keep him around.

Davis is a versatile wideout who can contribute through the air and as a run blocker, so he would’ve seen the field a decent amount despite the new additions. But with Davis now out of the picture, the roles for certain players will change in 2023.

Garrett Wilson’s role in the offense doesn’t drastically change as he was expected to be the go-to option for Rodgers regardless of the new weapons in the offense. While Lazard signed a contract that indicated he’d have a definitive role in the offense already, he’ll certainly relied upon even more on the field because of his run-blocking ability and experience with Rodgers.

Hardman and Cobb figure to rotate as the No. 3 wide receiver in the offense behind Wilson and Lazard. Who Davis’ exit really affects are the guys who are competing for roster spots. Players like Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson and Malik Taylor now have better odds of making the 53-man roster unless the Jets look to improve at the position when other teams are making roster cuts.

Davis was never going to have an extremely prominent role in the offense with a crowded group of pass catchers on the Jets this season. That being said, the depth chart is now shaping up to potentially be Wilson, Lazard, Hardman, and Cobb with Brownlee, Gipson and Taylor seeming like the most likely candidates to make the roster with Davis now gone.

Randall Cobb’s Hard Knocks speech made Aaron Rodgers sound like the boogeyman to his Jets WRs

The Jets’ receivers better not step out of line. Or else.

Like most great quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers has a reputation for holding his playmakers to an almost impossibly high standard. In particular, towards the latter years of his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers was notorious for dressing down just about every green-and-gold playmaker sans Davante Adams.

And it seems like nothing has changed with the New York Jets — for the worse.

During a key sequence of the latest episode of Hard Knocks, veteran receiver Randall Cobb spoke to the Jets’ young receiver room. As a Rodgers favorite for a decade in Green Bay, Cobb knows how the signal caller approaches practice better than anyone. He knows how to make Rodgers happy. And he knows how to put him on edge, too.

So, Cobb issued a stark warning to the Jets’ outside playmakers about attending to details, in turn making Rodgers sound like some kind of horror movie monster:

I’m gonna be honest. I wouldn’t be encouraged if I was a Jets fan watching this clip.

Part of the problem with Rodgers’ latter years in Green Bay was that he refused to trust other receivers, almost to the point of stubbornness. He wouldn’t have force-fed Davante Adams over 300 targets from 2020-2021 if he believed in other Packers players. And such an insistence made Green Bay’s offense easier to game-plan for. Focus on Adams, and suddenly, the Packers’ attack felt extremely limited.

It’s too early to make any definitive declarations, but a similar situation could be boiling with Gang Green. Based on other Hard Knocks sequences, Rodgers appears to already be developing quite a rapport with sophomore receiver Garrett Wilson. In fact, during the latest episode, Rodgers called Wilson “special” on multiple occasions, suggesting he’ll (rightfully) be his go-to guy.

The concern is whether Rodgers looks Wilson’s way almost too much. If the Jets will prevail in a logjam of an AFC, they’ll need a balanced offensive approach. They’ll need to keep defenses on their toes with every weapon at their disposal. They can’t succeed if Rodgers fixates on Wilson to the point that he starts ignoring his other options. As much as the onus is on the Jets receivers to keep Rodgers happy and earn his trust, it’s on him to mellow out and perhaps give his teammates a little more leeway.

The success of the Jets’ 2023 campaign could depend on it.

Jets activating Randall Cobb off PUP Sunday

Randall Cobb returning to practice

Aaron Rodgers will get one of his buddies back at practice Sunday as the Jets are activating WR Randall Cobb off the Physically Unable to Perform list, per Jordan Schultz.

Cobb is the second player to have been cleared off the PUP list after tight end C.J. Uzomah. RB Breece Hall, DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse and OT Duane Brown are still on the list but can be removed at any time.

Cobb signed with the Jets in May, about a month after Rodgers came to town, joining a list of former Packers that came over to New York. He’ll be in the mix for one of the last spots on the receiver depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman.

Former Packers WR Randall Cobb to join Aaron Rodgers with Jets

In the least surprising news ever, former Packers WR Randall Cobb is joining Aaron Rodgers with the Jets.

Former Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Jets and join long-time teammate and friend Aaron Rodgers in New York, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Cobb, a second-round pick of the Packers in 2011, played 10 seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, catching 532 passes for 6,316 yards and 47 touchdowns over 130 games.

Cobb’s deal with the Packers voided in February. His contract left behind $1,391,668 in dead money as a result of past restructurings.

The Packers gave Cobb’s No. 18 uniform to undrafted free agent rookie Malik Heath.

Cobb, who turns 32 in August, caught 62 passes over two seasons after returning to Green Bay at Rodgers’ request in 2021. The two teammates walked off the field together after the Packers’ season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in January.

Cobb joins Allen Lazard, Tim Boyle and Billy Turner as former Packers to sign with the Jets this offseason.

Jets signing WR Randall Cobb

Another member of the “wish list” joining the Jets

The Jets are signing wide receiver Randall Cobb, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Cobb reunites with quarterback Aaron Rodgers after two stints together with the Packers. Cobb has played 12 seasons in the NFL, including ten with Rodgers and the Packers, as well as stops in Dallas and Houston.

Last season, Cobb played 13 games and caught 34 passes for 417 yards and a touchdown. In 12 years, Cobb has 7,585 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Cobb will mix in as the No. 5 or 6 wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Corey Davis with Denzel Mims potentially the No. 5, but also possibly on the roster bubble.

9 winners (Cowboys!) and losers (yikes, Josh McDaniels) from Day 2 of NFL free agency

The Cowboys’ defense got a LOT better. Meanwhile, Josh McDaniels should work on his people skills.

After the initial launch period of free agency, Day 2 could have been quieter. (Keyword: could.)

Two understated trades brought potentially valuable veterans to Dallas and Indianapolis. In Las Vegas, Josh McDaniels started to piece together the Patriots of the Mojave Desert. But his day had an awkward overall taste to it.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson pointedly defended his contract negotiating honor in public. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers kept doing … whatever it was that he’s doing. Not that we’re still waiting for developments here. No way.

Not us. Not ever! However, we can’t speak for various pro football personalities.

As we head into the official start of the league year later today, here are the biggest winners and losers from NFL free agency Day 2.

Jets reportedly interested in Randall Cobb

Jets reportedly interested in Randall Cobb

The Jets may not be targeting just one Packers receiver this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, in addition to Allen Lazard, the Jets are also reportedly interested in Randall Cobb.

Cobb has had two stints with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and has also played for both Texas teams, the Cowboys and Texans.

Cobb is obviously on the decline in his career. He’s cracked 500 receiving yards just once in the past five seasons. However, he is still a solid possession receiver and clearly has the relationship with Rodgers, who now may potentially have two of his former, and maybe favorite, receivers to throw to if he joins the Jets.

Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb going to Jets to team up with Aaron Rodgers?

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided an update on Packers free agent WRs Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, who could both follow Aaron Rodgers to the Jets.

An update from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb: Both Green Bay Packers receivers could be headed to New York to team up with Aaron Rodgers as new members of the Jets.

Lazard, an unrestricted free agent, looks on the way to signing a multi-year deal with the Jets. Rapoport said there’s no other team negotiating with the 26-year-old receiver.

“He is working on a deal with the New York Jets,” Rapoport said on NFL Network on Tuesday morning. “Seems to be all Jets for Allen Lazard. We’ll see if they can work out a deal here.”

Lazard, who set career-highs in catches and receiving yards last year, is one of the top free agents left at receiver.

Later in the segment, Rapoport said Cobb could follow Lazard and Rodgers to New York.

“We’ll see if it ends up being a package deal. Another one of Aaron Rodgers’ friends, Randall Cobb, also comes to the Jets, which I would say probably will happen if Aaron Rodgers comes to the Jets,” Rapoport said. “Which we think is going to happen but we don’t know, not quite done yet.”

Cobb wants to keep playing in 2023 and is an unrestricted free agent after his deal voided last month.

Adding Lazard and Cobb would give Rodgers two trusted receivers in New York as he transitions to a new team after 18 seasons in Green Bay. Lazard could be an excellent complementary piece behind Garrett Wilson, while Cobb is still capable of playing in the slot.

Lazard and Cobb combined to catch 94 passes for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2022 season.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network said momentum is building on a deal between the Jets and Packers for Rodgers but nothing is officially done yet.

Here is video of the segment:

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Free agent WR Randall Cobb intends to play in 2023

It’s unclear where, but free agent WR Randall Cobb wants to keep playing next season.

While Aaron Rodgers is still mulling his NFL future, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb has made a decision on his. On Monday, a source told Bill Huber of SI.com that Cobb intends to play in 2023.   

Cobb, who is an unrestricted free agent, caught 34 passes for 417 yards and a touchdown last season. Cobb missed four games with an ankle injury but recently had surgery to clean up a “persisting issue” in his ankle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.   

The procedure should allow him to play pain-free next season.   

The legal tampering period for free agency began at noon on Monday, meaning Cobb can agree to go wherever he wants. However, he is probably waiting to what happens with his good friend and quarterback.  

Rodgers still hasn’t told either the Packers or the Jets what he plans to do next season. If he does end up going to New York — something Trey Wingo reported as a done deal earlier in the day – it is inherently possible Cobb will join him.  

After all, Rodgers is the main reason Cobb returned to Green Bay in 2021. Following his offseason of disgruntlement, the front office traded a sixth-round draft pick for Cobb to appease Rodgers.  

Cobb will turn 33 in August and is not the same player he used to be. Cobb hasn’t played a full season since 2015 due to injuries, and now he is planning to fight off Father Time heading into Year 13.  

What Cobb does have going for him is a reliable set of hands that caught nearly 70 percent of his targets over the last two seasons.   

In the scenario that Rodgers does retire, the Packers could always re-sign Cobb to another team-friendly deal. That way, he could be a safety valve for Jordan Love and continue to bring a strong veteran presence to the locker room. 

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Packers WR Randall Cobb had clean-up surgery on ankle

WR Randall Cobb, who is a free agent, had surgery to clean up a “persistent” issue with his ankle, per Ian Rapoport.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb had surgery to clean up a “persisting issue” with his ankle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Cobb, who turns 33 years old in August, missed four games after injuring his ankle last season. He is a free agent after his contract voided last month.

Cobb’s football future is uncertain, and Rapoport notes that he is still weighing his options on returning next season. The operation would, in theory, clear the way health-wise for Cobb to play a 13th NFL season in 2023, although it’s unclear if playing in Green Bay is an option.

It’s possible Cobb’s future is tied to Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding his own playing future.

Over the last two seasons with the Packers, Cobb caught 62 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns while playing 25 games and 742 total snaps (371 snaps each season). He also returned five punts. Injuries to his core in 2021 and ankle in 2022 cost him eight total games. He needed surgery to fix a core muscle injury in 2021.

Cobb has played 10 seasons in Green Bay, making over $50 million in salary while with the Packers.