The New York Jets are kicking the tires on an intriguing player.
Adam Schefter of ESPN shared on Wednesday, May 29 that the green and white are signing veteran running back Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal.
Schefter called him, “one of the NFL’s top return specialists” but revealed that a slew of injuries “derailed his career.”
Cohen, 28, hasn’t played in an NFL game since the 2020 regular season. However, most recently he was added to the Carolina Panthers practice squad in September of 2023. Cohen never appeared in a game and was with the Panthers this offseason on a reserve/future contract but he was cut on May 10.
Jets are signing free-agent RB Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal, per source. Cohen was one of the NFL’s top return specialists and a receiving threat before injuries derailed his career. Cohen last played in the NFL in 2020, but now will attempt his comeback with the Jets.
A Troubling Injury History for Cohen in Recent NFL Memory
In 2020 he signed a lucrative three-year deal for $17.25 million with the Chicago Bears. However, during Week 3 of that season, Cohen tore his ACL, MCL, and suffered a tibial plateau fracture.
He was forced to miss the entirety of the 2021 season due to complications from that injury.
During his first NFL comeback attempt in 2022, Cohen blew out his Achilles during training.
A year later he was finally medically cleared and that is when he earned the latest opportunity with the Panthers.
Now he has a fresh chance with the green and white.
In a corresponding move, the Jets released running back Markese Stepp to create a roster spot for Cohen.
We’ve signed RB Tarik Cohen and released RB Markese Stepp.
Worthy Dart Throw for the Jets in the Offseason
This is a win-win situation for the Jets.
If Cohen is healthy, New York is getting a former All-Pro at an insane discount. If he continues to struggle to stay healthy, New York can cut bait and stick with what they have.
When healthy, Cohen has proven to be a difference maker whether that’s on the offensive side of the ball or on special teams.
The former North Carolina A&T product has been a solid runner since entering the league back in 2017. He has toted the rock 264 times for 1,101 rushing yards. However, his ability in the receiving game has raised eyebrows.
Cohen has 209 career receptions for 1,575 receiving yards and has added an additional nine receiving touchdowns.
The final leg of his triple threat is his ability in the return game. Cohen earned a first-team All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl nomination back in 2018 for his efforts.
He has been a really good returner in the past but his prowess in that department is particularly interesting because of the new kickoff rules.
Players and coaches in the NFL still aren’t sure exactly what type of return man will thrive in this new environment.
So it makes sense for the Jets to give a player like Cohen a shot.
Some of the other players that are in the mix for the Jets lead return job are wide receiver Xavier Gipson, running back Israel Abanikanda, and maybe even rookie wideout Malachi Corley.
On “Boy Green Daily” on Wednesday, May 29 I discussed the possibility of the Jets adding a bigger name to special teams because of the new rules.
NFL analyst Brandyn Pokrass of Jets X-Factor explained that Breece Hall could be among the options considered.
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Jets Sign 28-Year-Old Return Specialist Who’s Attempting NFL Comeback: Report