The Jets can’t fully become “Packers East” around Aaron Rodgers without adding Randall Cobb.
Cobb, 32, is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Jets, The Post confirmed, and further deepen one of the best receiving corps of Rodgers’ career.
Cobb and Rodgers became close friends over 10 seasons together, including two after Rodgers essentially demanded the Packers front office re-acquire Cobb in a 2021 trade with the Texans.
Only Davante Adams has caught more passes from Rodgers than Cobb in the regular season plus playoffs, per ESPN.
Perhaps the Jets took notice last week when the free agent Cobb posted to Instagram a video of him grinding in a gym with the caption, “We may not know which way to go on this dark road …”
Allen Lazard, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract to leave the Packers for the Jets before the Rodgers trade was complete, poked fun at his former teammate Cobb.
“Bruh saw the trade go through and got right to it,” Lazard quipped.
Former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert also replied, “Timing + execution, well done.”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers links arms with receiver Randall Cobb during the national anthem before a game against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty ImagesThe Jets already have Garrett Wilson — who Rodgers recently compared to the great Adams — and Lazard as a good tandem of starters.
Add in former free-agent big-money free-agent signing Corey Davis, former second-round pick Denzel Mims and recent free-agent signing Mecole Hardman, and there wasn’t a need for Cobb other than the comfort on and off the field that he offers Rodgers.
Hardman and Cobb could split duties in the slot.
The Jets surprisingly did not use any of their seven 2023 draft picks on a receiver.
(L-R) Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, Mallory Edens, and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers watch the second half of the game between the Lakers and Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Dec. 2, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Getty ImagesCobb totaled 34 catches for 417 yards and one touchdown over 13 games last season, upping his career regular-season totals to 625 catches for 7,585 yards and 53 touchdowns when including one-year stints with the Cowboys and Texans.
He reportedly was on Rodgers’ so-called “wish list” shared during a pre-trade meeting with the Jets.
In addition to Cobb and Lazard, the Jets have signed offensive tackle Billy Turner and third-string quarterback Tim Boyle.
All of them will play under Rodgers-endorsed offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who is a key part of the dynamic, head coach Robert Saleh said when asked about making sure that Rodgers isn’t perceived with the influence of a coach or general manager.
“The thing with Aaron is that he’s not demanding anything,” Saleh said last week. “He just loves communication. Really excited about his mindset and how he’s approaching this thing.”
