Despite star running back Breece Hall finishing second among running backs in yards from scrimmage in 2023, the New York Jets have made it pretty clear that they want more bodies in the backfield next season.
To that end, they’re adding a running back with Pro Bowl experience to their ranks.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Jets have signed free agent running back Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal. Cohen spent part of the 2023 season on the Carolina Panthers practice squad and has not played in an NFL game since 2020.
Schefter cited Cohen’s acumen as a kick returner, suggesting that the Jets might be recruiting the 28-year-old to be their return specialist next season. Cohen earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors with the Chicago Bears in 2018 after leading the NFL in punt return yards.
“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,” Schefter wrote.
Cohen joins a rather crowded Jets backfield that already has Hall and several backups from last year, but also added a pair of running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
Suffice it to say, Cohen will be hard-pressed to get any snaps out of the backfield even if he does make the final 53-man roster.
Will Cohen have a role on the Jets in 2024?