4 players who almost signed with the Vikings in free agency

Jared Cook – TE (2017)

Shortly after meeting with Eddie Lacy in the 2017 offseason, the Vikings visited with another former Packers player in free-agent tight end Jared Cook.

Cook was coming off a 2016 campaign that saw his production explode during the playoffs. During Green Bay’s two postseason matchups in 2016, the veteran tight end caught a total of 18 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

Minnesota saw this in addition to Cook’s past success with the St. Louis Rams and they felt he could add something to their offense. If the Vikings were able to land the veteran pass-catcher, the tight end duo of Cook and Kyle Rudolph had the potential to cause some serious problems for opposing defenses in 2017.

However, Cook and Minnesota were unable to agree to any sort of contract. Shortly after meeting with the Vikings, the tight end wound up signing a two-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

With no Cook to take away targets, Rudolph finished the 2017 season with eight touchdown catches and his second-career trip to the Pro Bowl.