Jared Cook's tug-of-war with the Tennessee Titans left the tight end franchise-tag-free and open to the test market when free agency begins March 12. He's likely to draw plenty of interest.
Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported, citing a league source, that the Chicago Bears are among a handful of teams expected to pursue Cook. He's arguably the top pass-catching tight end available in a league that doesn't have enough of them to go around.
Cook's 93 catches for 1,282 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons attest to his productivity, even if he could be more consistent. After lining up wide or in the slot more than 70 percent of the time in 2012, Cook argued the Titans should tag him as a wideout. The Titans, of course, balked, setting Cook free to find a new home.
The Bears are a logical fit. Kellen Davis has been inconsistent despite his seven touchdowns over the past two campaigns. Tight end Matt Spaeth doesn't scare anyone.
New Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer was part of a New Orleans Saints attack that heavily used Jimmy Graham. We know coach Marc Trestman loves to throw the ball creatively. If Cook doesn't find a home in Chicago, he won't have trouble landing work in a relatively soft tight-end market.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
