Jets Sign RB Tarik Cohen

[Barry McCockinner]

Now we just need some depth at RB an we'll be all set.

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

Jets to deploy the 5 RB formation. Teams won't know what to do!!

[slats]

5’6”, 180lb return specialist. 
 
However much love you might think the Jets are throwing at Gipson, they sure do look interested in bringing in replacements for him. 

[JustInFudge]

 

[JustInFudge]

Just now, slats said:

5’6”, 180lb return specialist. 
 
However much love you might think the Jets are throwing at Gipson, they sure do look interested in bringing in replacements for him. 

And here I thought maybe it was because  they didnt like how slow Corley was coming along.

I'm kidding.

Cohen is not making this team and this means nothing for Gipson. 

[Mr. Rogers]

Huh. I was still thinking Izzy was a roster lock, but now I'm not 100% sure. Drafting in 2 RBs made sense, but with Allen for early down work and Cohen / possibly Davis looking at what little passing downs work Breece doesn't take, what's left?

Cohen is a great passing down back, whereas izzy isn't an especially great blocker. You gotta feel like one or the other will end up on the practice squad. This is probably just for camp competition too, though. Cohen has been out a long time due to his bad luck...

Edit: I take it back, I didn't love drafting 2 RBs lol. But more due to the timing of the picks than the principle of it. I do feel like if we're bringing in free agents / still like Izzy, it was a bit questionable though. 

[dbatesman]

Only need four more RBs and we're good to go

[DoubleDown]

"Last played in the NFL in 2020" is a bit misleading.  While Cohen hasn't seen any real game snaps, he was just recently released by the Panthers after spending 2023 on their practice squad.  Point being, this isn't his first attempt at making a comeback in the NFL.

I think this is just Douglas testing the waters and seeing if Cohen has anything left in the tank.  I don't think he'll make the team.

[Barry McCockinner]

1 minute ago, DoubleDown said:

Cohen was just recently released by the Panthers after spending 2023 on their practice squad.

I think this is just Douglas testing the waters and seeing if Cohen has anything left in the tank.  I don't think he'll make the team.

looks like he hasn't played in a game since 2020? wild

[The Crusher]

3 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

Only need four more RBs and we're good to go

Running back room be like...

 

 

[slats]

2 minutes ago, JustInFudge said:

And here I thought maybe it was because  they didnt like how slow Corley was coming along.

I'm kidding.

Cohen is not making this team and this means nothing for Gipson. 

Probably not, but this isn’t the first returner they’ve brought in this offseason, and that’s after drafting Corley on day two to start in the slot. They could very easily just be looking for players as they figure out the new KOR rules but, again, that doesn’t bode amazingly well for the incumbent. 

[mrcoops]

Cohen was a dynamic returner and strong passing game option for the Bears.  But injuries have really done him in.

It doesn't hurt to take a look, I guess, but this looks just like a preseason flyer on a formerly productive player on a cheap contract.

Alternatively, this could be ominous for Izzy.  The Jets have now added 3 RBs this offseason, with room for only 2 or 3 guys behind Breece.

[bonkertons]

3 minutes ago, slats said:

Probably not, but this isn’t the first returner they’ve brought in this offseason, and that’s after drafting Corley on day two to start in the slot. They could very easily just be looking for players as they figure out the new KOR rules but, again, that doesn’t bode amazingly well for the incumbent. 

How many return guys do we have?  Genuine question, I'm not sure who else can do it besides Gipson.  If he's the only one, then yeah it would make sense to have another guy - at the very least to take some reps in camp and provide some kind of injury insurance.

 

I'm guessing Corley can do it and probably be good at it.  That said I'm not sure how much they'll want to use Corley on ST considering how high their hopes are for him in this offense.  

 

...but yeah, either way I'd say this means absolutely nothing for Gipson.  If they wanted someone to seriously challenge him I doubt they would have brought in a guy who hasn't played since 2020.  My guess is Gipson is the guy, and if he struggles Corley will take over until we bring in a replacement.  A replacement shouldn't cost much either(look at what Hardman went for).  

[Mr. Rogers]

6 minutes ago, mrcoops said:

Cohen was a dynamic returner and strong passing game option for the Bears.  But injuries have really done him in.

It doesn't hurt to take a look, I guess, but this looks just like a preseason flyer on a formerly productive player on a cheap contract.

Alternatively, this could be ominous for Izzy.  The Jets have now added 3 RBs this offseason, with room for only 2 or 3 guys behind Breece.

That's where I'm at. I don't think he'll take Izzy's spot, but if the Jets are looking at alternatives for him it's not a great sign for him long term.

Maybe they're hoping to light a fire under him? With a view that he might be a cut candidate by next year if he doesn't carve out a role sooner. 

[Mr. Rogers]

11 minutes ago, bonkertons said:

How many return guys do we have?  Genuine question, I'm not sure who else can do it besides Gipson.  If he's the only one, then yeah it would make sense to have another guy - at the very least to take some reps in camp and provide some kind of injury insurance.

Interesting question and thought.

The new format basically requires 2 return men, not the historic setup where 1 guy returns most kicks. A lot of folks thought Allen or Davis (especially Davis) was drafted with an eye toward this, since the new format places more priority on acceleration and navigating traffic rather than traditional speed and agility. 

Cohen is arguably an ideal return man in this format, but Gipson, Davis, Izzy, and maybe even others could all be eligible. I think Gipson will stay locked as Punt Returner and 1 of the 2 return men - Cohen is probably camp competition for the other KR spot.

Edit: while you'd expect Breece to take most 3rd down work, there's an argument Cohen could take some true passing down work too if he looks like his old self.

Also, I'm not 100% sure if anyone else returns. I don't think anyone from last year's roster was a former return man, but we probably have a UDFA or two.

[slats]

4 minutes ago, bonkertons said:

How many return guys do we have?  Genuine question, I'm not sure who else can do it besides Gipson.  If he's the only one, then yeah it would make sense to have another guy - at the very least to take some reps in camp and provide some kind of injury insurance.

 

I'm guessing Corley can do it and probably be good at it.  That said I'm not sure how much they'll want to use Corley on ST considering how high their hopes are for him in this offense.  

 

...but yeah, either way I'd say this means absolutely nothing for Gipson.  If they wanted someone to seriously challenge him I doubt they would have brought in a guy who hasn't played since 2020.  My guess is Gipson is the guy, and if he struggles Corley will take over until we bring in a replacement.  A replacement shouldn't cost much either(look at what Hardman went for).  

In addition to this little guy, the Jets signed two other smallish return specialists as UDFAs this year; CB Brandon Codrington and WR Hamze El-Zayat, both under 5’8”, 180lbs. So that’s three tiny returners added after drafting a slot receiver on day two. Gipson, himself, was an UDFA just last year. It’s not like they have a major investment in him. Keep in mind, too, that Gipson had 5 fumbles on 29 total touches last season. He’s no lock. For now, I’d say Brownlee looks to have a clearer path to a roster spot. 

[LAD_Brooklyn]

30 minutes ago, DoubleDown said:

"Last played in the NFL in 2020" is a bit misleading.  While Cohen hasn't seen any real game snaps, he was just recently released by the Panthers after spending 2023 on their practice squad.  Point being, this isn't his first attempt at making a comeback in the NFL.

I think this is just Douglas testing the waters and seeing if Cohen has anything left in the tank.  I don't think he'll make the team.

Great catch which means he's knocked some rust off last season from his two year absence. Without that info this would have sounded like a joke of a pickup. 

"Cohen will turn 29 in July and hasn't played in an NFL game since Week 3 of 2020, when he suffered an ACL tear that derailed a promising career. He missed all of 2021 while rehabbing from the knee injury and all of 2022 after suffering an Achilles' tear during the spring."

 

[CanadienJetsFan]

competition is a good thing.

[prime21]

Jets looking to the future thinking they cant sign Breece to a ginormous contract and trying to find a replacement already??  

 

[slimjasi]

He’s a returner and I love returners 

 

really hoping to see some return TDs this year with the kickoff changes  

[Rich Thornburgh]

Undersized and sucks

[Tranquilo]

59 minutes ago, slats said:

5’6”, 180lb return specialist. 
 
However much love you might think the Jets are throwing at Gipson, they sure do look interested in bringing in replacements for him. 

Either that or he's growing into more of a WR than return guy.

[Sperm Edwards]

1 hour ago, JustInFudge said:

And here I thought maybe it was because  they didnt like how slow Corley was coming along.

I'm kidding.

Cohen is not making this team and this means nothing for Gipson. 

Beats handing Gipson a roster spot. I like him plenty, so hopefully he beats out Cohen with ease, but it's better to make him do it than to add yet another UDFA rookie who typically isn't any competition at all. At least on paper it's fine for that reason alone. 

Plus the new return rules may be a factor, though carrying two dedicated returners on gameday - particularly if neither's getting more than nominal snaps on offense - is something I'd have to see the value in doing before I get behind it. With the addition of two more WRs, and Lazard unlikely to be nearly as bad as last year with Rodgers's return - how could he be, right? - Gipson may be back down to 0-5 snaps-levels on offense until one or more of those four get injured, and even that precludes the emergence of someone else (another UDFA rookie like Gipson was himself, or simply another low-priced FA pickup). 

I'd like to see him continue to develop, though. If he can turn into a solid Berrios-type veteran who's a top returner and is also good for 300 or so yards for the next few years, I'd be plenty happy; never mind if he can surpass that. He's still just 23. 

[UntouchableCrew]

Hasn't played since 2020. Has to be a flier that he could be an asset with the new kick return rules.

[rex-n-effect]

Jets are going to be able to field a 7v7 team out of the RB room by the end of the offseason.

[mrcoops]

58 minutes ago, Rich Thornburgh said:

Undersized and sucks

He is small, but he definitely doesn't suck.  He's a dynamic player, if healthy. The big issue is he hasn't been healthy for years.

But these highlights...wow. Guy could score from anywhere before injuries struck him down.

 

[slimjasi]

1 hour ago, The Crusher said:

Running back room be like...

 

 

Wtf is happening here

[Joe W. Namath]

Camp legs.  Nothing more.

Izzy is rb2.  

[Barry McCockinner]

25 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

Wtf is happening here

JN posters when they see a new Zach Wilson thread to respond to

[Jetsfan80]

Cohen only turns 29 in July?  I thought he was like 35 by now.  Still old and injured for way too long for RB standards.  

[JustInFudge]

2 hours ago, slats said:

Probably not, but this isn’t the first returner they’ve brought in this offseason, and that’s after drafting Corley on day two to start in the slot. They could very easily just be looking for players as they figure out the new KOR rules but, again, that doesn’t bode amazingly well for the incumbent. 

He's a meh UDFA player, it's not like he's some incredible, cant leave off the field talent.  Ofcourse they're going to look to upgrade but I just think it's a pretty big stretch to think that Gipson's role is threatened by the signing of player who hasnt played since 2020.  

 

[Integrity28]

2 hours ago, mrcoops said:

Cohen was a dynamic returner and strong passing game option for the Bears.  But injuries have really done him in.

It doesn't hurt to take a look, I guess, but this looks just like a preseason flyer on a formerly productive player on a cheap contract.

Alternatively, this could be ominous for Izzy.  The Jets have now added 3 RBs this offseason, with room for only 2 or 3 guys behind Breece.

Might be a favor to an agent, too. Maybe one if our players coming up for extension talks has same agent and this is about goodwill.

[JustInFudge]

1 hour ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Beats handing Gipson a roster spot. I like him plenty, so hopefully he beats out Cohen with ease, but it's better to make him do it than to add yet another UDFA rookie who typically isn't any competition at all. At least on paper it's fine for that reason alone. 

Plus the new return rules may be a factor, though carrying two dedicated returners on gameday - particularly if neither's getting more than nominal snaps on offense - is something I'd have to see the value in doing before I get behind it. With the addition of two more WRs, and Lazard unlikely to be nearly as bad as last year with Rodgers's return - how could he be, right? - Gipson may be back down to 0-5 snaps-levels on offense until one or more of those four get injured, and even that precludes the emergence of someone else (another UDFA rookie like Gipson was himself, or simply another low-priced FA pickup). 

I'd like to see him continue to develop, though. If he can turn into a solid Berrios-type veteran who's a top returner and is also good for 300 or so yards for the next few years, I'd be plenty happy; never mind if he can surpass that. He's still just 23. 

I dont think Cohen is serious competition for anyone at this stage in his career.  Really more about him than it is about Gipson.

[Jimmy 2 Times]

Hall better get his butt to OTA’s.  
 

[slats]

12 minutes ago, JustInFudge said:

I dont think Cohen is serious competition for anyone at this stage in his career.  Really more about him than it is about Gipson.

As I’ve said in this thread, he’s just one of three different tiny return specialists the Jets have brought in since the draft, and that’s after drafting a slot receiver on day two. I don’t mean to send the death knell on Gipson, just saying that a number of people who do what he did last year have been brought in.