Did The Patriots Offer Jared Cook A Contract

Patriots reportedly made a 'hard run' at free-amanuensis TE Jared Cook, who's expected to sign with the Saints

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – November 25: Tight End Jared Cook of the Oakland Raiders catches a touchdown in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Thou&T Banking company Stadium. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

If yous're wondering whether the Patriots had any thought that Rob Gronkowski would retire, expect no further than their plainly strong pursuit of free-agent tight end Jared Melt.

Hands the best available tight end on the open market place, Cook reportedly drew interest from the Patriots early in free bureau. Now, he's reportedly negotiating exclusively with the New Orleans Saints and could finalize a deal this week. But according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, that comes after the Patriots fabricated a "hard run" at signing him.

That may indicate to you that Gronk took the Pats by surprise. Merely their early interest in Melt suggests that they were at least roofing the proverbial bases.

Cook put together a career-best season as a laissez passer-catcher in 2022 with the Oakland Raiders, hauling in 68 catches for 896 yards and 6 touchdowns. He significantly outperformed Gronk's production in his final twelvemonth. Cook isn't nearly the blocker Gronk was. But if the reports are to be believed, the Patriots surely thought he could still produce in the passing game.

With Gronkowski out of the picture, the story now turns to how the Patriots will supersede him on the depth chart. And the word "replace" should be used loosely and delicately, here. Considering they aren't going to observe a tight end with Gronk'southward singular combination of size, strength, speed, hands, blocking, football IQ, and intangibles.

But with only four tight ends on the current roster – deal-bin free agent Matt LaCosse may exist the most promising of all of them – they're certainly going to need to add together bodies at the position before campsite. That's where the 2022 NFL draft and its purportedly deep tight cease class could come in.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Whatever opinions expressed practise not necessarily reflect those of 98.v The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or whatsoever subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or annotate for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.