The Chargers signed veteran tight end Jared Cook to a one-year deal on Thursday.
After losing Hunter Henry, who signed with the Patriots, Los Angeles was only left with Donald Parham on the roster.
L.A. had plenty of options to choose from, which included trading for Zach Ertz. But they ultimately chose to sign Cook to a short-term deal. Cook’s case was especially benefited from there being some connections to the coaching staff.
Cook played under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi for two seasons with the Saints, when Lombardi was the quarterbacks coach. Run game coordinator/offensive line coach Frank Smith, meanwhile, was the tight ends coach for the Raiders when Cook made his first Pro Bowl.
Cook has played for five teams in his 12 years in the NFL, catching 505 passes for 6,673 yards and 41 touchdowns and making two Pro Bowls along the way.
Cook’s best playing days are behind him, but he stills offers a reliable option for the time being. While he’s more of a liability as a run blocker, he will offer some upside as a pass-catching option for quarterback Justin Herbert and someone who’s familiar with Lombardi’s scheme.
The 34-year old also offers a solid mentor in a positional room that’ll feature Parham and most likely a rookie. Kyle Pitts, the No. 1 tight end entering this year’s draft is in option, but I see them addressing the offensive line with their first-round pick.
The Chargers could select someone like Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth in the second-round, but the more reasonable route, in my opinion, is using one of their two third-round picks to take a guy like Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble, Miami’s Brevin Jordan, Duke’s Noah Gray or Georgia’s Tre McKitty.
Overall, the move might not appeal to all, but Cook is serviceable for the time being and his presence should go a long way to the development of the youth at the position.