Randall Cobb Retires (Maybe)
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| Legendary Packers WR Randall Cobb hung up his cleats this last Thursday or did he? |
This Thursday, ESPN announced that former Packers WR Randall Cobb will join the SECN broadcast team as a college football studio analyst. Pete Watters, one of SEC Network's Coordinating Producers, remarked on how excited he is to work with Cobb,
"We are thrilled to welcome Randall to the SEC Network crew. His experience and knowledge of the game, both from playing at Kentucky and in the NFL, will be such an asset to our football coverage."
As a Kentucky alumnus, Cobb stated how he's looking forward to covering teams that are in his former conference,
"I am incredibly excited to be coming home to the SEC with this new role. The level of greatness this conference provides year after year is unmatched -- I cannot wait to return to the conference family with this SEC Network crew."
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| Cobb spent 10 of his 13 seasons as a Green Bay Packer. |
ESPN reported that Cobb would be ending his storied NFL career, retiring at 33 years old. This had fans and the media reminiscing about Cobb's greatest moments, most of which came as a Green Bay Packer. Cobb spent 10 of his 13 years in the NFL as a member of the Green and Gold, getting things started with a huge 108 yard kickoff return touchdown in his first ever game against the Saints.
The former Pro Bowler made 532 receptions (5th in Packers franchise history), 47 for touchdowns (10th in franchise history), and also added 6,316 receiving yards (11th in franchise history). He and former Packers QB, Aaron Rodgers, had such a strong bond that #12 insisted that Cobb join him for his own final season with the Packers and his first with the Jets.
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| After a disappointing season with the Jets, Cobb remains an unsigned free agent. |
After Rodgers' unfortunate achilles injury in the first game of the season, Cobb and Jets backup QB Zach Wilson were unable to match chemistry. Cobb also suffered a shoulder injury that led him to a forgettable first and final season with the Jets. He was even a healthy scratch for one game. In his lone season with the Jets, Cobb played 11 games and made only 5 receptions. The Jets decided not to offer Cobb an extension to his one-year deal, and the former Pro Bowler has been a free agent ever since. This recent retirement announcement seemed like it was coming sooner or later, however there is a catch.
Randall Cobb saw that ESPN had made a mistake in their announcement and took to X to correct it,
"Not officially retired, but I’m excited for this new opportunity!"
Not officially retired but I’m excited for this new opportunity! Catch me and @AlyssaLang on Out of Pocket Wednesdays on the SEC Network! https://t.co/FbsIKCQK3G
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) July 18, 2024
As Cobb hasn't officially retired from the NFL, there's still time for him to sign with another team before the season begins in late August. While Cobb will currently be using his weekends to prepare for the ESPN studio, he won't be taking his eye off the NFL. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on X,
"I’m told Randall Cobb has not retired from playing football. Still open to playing in the NFL if an opportunity arises as he begins his broadcast career."
Updating here: I’m told Randall Cobb has not retired from playing football. Still open to playing in the NFL if an opportunity arises as he begins his broadcast career. https://t.co/q1EpwKAaHK
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 18, 2024
There you have it, Randall Cobb is looking to keep his options open this season and if the right opportunity comes along, who knows how it all works out for the former Green Bay Packer? ESPN has also since corrected their initial statement.
Cobb might sign with a team in need of a veteran WR to strengthen their offense. The Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and the Houston Texans come to mind, as teams that had their fair share of WR problems last season. Cobb has already spent one season in Houston in 2020, so perhaps having some familiar surroundings would be beneficial for both he and the rejuvenated Texans.
Either way, we hope to see Cobb do well in whatever ventures he takes on next because once you're a Packer, you're always a Packer. For now, we can catch Randall Cobb on upcoming select editions of SEC Now, and cohosting Out of Pocket with Alyssa Lang.
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