Packers and TE Jared Cook have “broken off” contract talks, per report

Bad news, everyone.

After locking up edge rusher Nick Perry on a new five-year contract, the Green Bay Packers seemed to shift their focus over to the offense, trying to bring guard T.J. Lang and tight end Jared Cook back into the fold. While Lang is taking some free agent visits, Cook has been rumored to be under aggressive pursuit by a few teams, including the Lions and Bills. However, the Packers were also reported to be heavily in the mix for Cook.

On Friday morning, though, a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter paints a bleaker picture for anyone hoping that Cook will come back to Green Bay:

Obviously the phrase “talks have broken off” is never a good sign. Surely, the Packers would like to lock him up before he heads on the road to talk with other organizations. Still, keep in mind that this does not mean that Cook is a lock to sign elsewhere. The Packers may have given him a contract offer and he may be looking to see if he likes his fit with another team.

In addition, the tight end market has been inflating again this season; Dion Sims got a three-year contract worth $6 million annually, and he had lesser stats than Cook in more games, while Jermaine Gresham re-signed with the Cardinals for around $7 million per year. That may play a role in the negotiations, with Cook’s team and the Packers possibly being far apart on their perception of market value.

If Cook does end up signing with another team, the Packers would be left with just two tight ends on the roster: Richard Rodgers and Beau Sandland.