Former Kentucky star Randall Cobb reportedly leaving Green Bay for a new NFL home
Randall Cobb, who played three star-studded seasons as an all-purpose football player at the University of Kentucky before a storied NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, is reportedly headed to the Big Apple.
The New York Jets are expected to sign the veteran wide receiver to a one-year contract, according to ESPN. The deal is not complete, but it is expected to be finalized soon. Cobb will reconnect in New York with longtime Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers, the future Hall of Fame quarterback acquired by the Jets last week.
Once the Cobb signing is complete, he will be the fourth former Packers player to sign with the Jets this offseason, joining wide receiver Allen Lazard, quarterback Tim Boyle and tackle Billy Turner. The Jets also added offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021.
Adding Cobb isn’t a surprise as the Jets were looking to bring in another wide receiver. Also, Cobb and Rodgers have a close relationship. He was one of the names the 39-year-old superstar quarterback recommended to the Jets when he met with them in California in March before he was traded to the team last week.
Two years ago, the pair made headlines by attending the Kentucky Derby together.
Cobb will join a Jets receiver corps that features Lazard, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Denzel Mims and Mecole Hardman.
Cobb, 32, hasn’t caught more than 40 passes in a season since 2019. However, he will give Rodgers a familiar face in the Jets offense, one that Cobb is familiar with playing with Rodgers and Hackett previously. Cobb will also probably be used as a slot receiver along with Hardman.
During his 12-year career, Cobb has 625 receptions for 7,585 yards and 53 touchdowns. Last season for the Packers, Cobb caught 34 passes for 417 yards and one TD in 13 games.
He ranks fifth all time in Packers history with 532 receptions and 47 touchdowns. Cobb played 10 seasons with the team. He made brief stops with the Dallas Cowboys (2019) and Houston Texans (2020) before returning to the Packers for the 2021 and ‘22 seasons.
Cobb played at Kentucky from 2008-10, excelling as a quarterback, wide receiver and kickoff return specialist.
Cobb rushed for 1,313 yards and 22 touchdowns, passed for 689 yards and five TDs and caught 144 passes for 1,661 yards and 13 scores across three seasons. He also scored two touchdowns on punt returns.
Cobb, a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Packers, was inducted last year into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 2017, Cobb was named to the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in celebration of his All-America and All-Southeastern Conference career.
