Cook scores sixth TD.
If the rebuilding Raiders are looking for a tight end to plug in as a key element of their offense for the next several years, they might check out this guy Jared Cook.
They won’t have to look far. Cook is a huge part of the Raiders’ offense right now. Sunday he caught seven passes for 100 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown from Derek Carr in the third quarter that put the Raiders back in the game, cutting the Chiefs’ lead to 10.
It was Cook’s sixth touchdown catch of the season, a career high for the 10-year veteran.
The Raiders aren’t going anywhere this season, not even to a Cheez-It Bowl, but they have high hopes for the future. Cook will be a free agent at the end of the season, his second with the Raiders.
Asked after the game whether he would like to be back with the Raiders next season, Cook smiled and said, “Yeah, of course. Who don’t want a job? You want a job next year?”
It’s highly likely Cook will have a job next year with some team. He’s driving up his price every week. Fortunately, the Raiders have all that casino money coming in soon, and they’re flush with the cash they saved by shipping Khalil Mack out.
Cook’s touchdown pass Sunday was nice, but his highlightreel play was earlier on the same drive. On 3rd-and-4 at the Raiders’ 38, Carr hit Cook on the right sideline. Cook turned upfield and hurdled low-diving cornerback Orlando Scandrick, then bulled into safety Ron Parker to extend the play another few yards, a 20-yard gain that kept the Raiders alive.
Cook, a super-agile 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, leads the Raiders in pass-reception yards (709), and is second in receptions (54), two behind Jalen Richard.
The glamour tight end on the field Sunday was the Chiefs’ spectacular Travis Kelce, who caught 12 passes for 168 yards.
“Kelce definitely balled out today,” Cook said.
So did Cook.