NFL Delivers Financial Blow to Jets' Randall Cobb

Preseason penalty costs veteran receiver thousands

Bobby McCain took the initial hit and Randall Cobb's bank account balance absorbed a subsequent hit as a result.

The New York Jets' veteran receiver delivered an illegal blindside block on the Giants' defensive back in the opening quarter of the preseason finale on August 26 at MetLife Stadium. The officials flagged Cobb for a penalty on the play and the league office has followed up by enforcing a financial penalty.

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that Cobb received a $13,889 fine in response to the dirty deed. Cobb is on a one-year contract worth $3 million for the 2023 campaign, according to Spotrac.

Cobb committed the transgression on the Jets' first offensive possession of the annual preseason rivalry game. On 1st-and-10 from the Green & White 46-yard line, quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Tyler Conklin for a 14-yard gain that was aided by Cobb's blindside de-cleater. The hit knocked McCain out of the game and into the concussion protocol.

A 15-yard penalty was enforced from the Giants' 47-yard line, pushing the Jets off schedule and forcing the punt team onto the field three plays later.

"The first drive was set back on the personal foul. Cobby was probably a little excited to be out there," said third-year head coach Robert Saleh.

Rodgers predicted that Cobb's infraction would cost the 33-year-old pass-catcher a decent chunk of change.

"I was watching that in slow motion going, ‘No, no, no, Cobby, what are you doing?’" said Rodgers during his postgame remarks. "We were laughing because that wasn’t a penalty when we started playing, but it’s been a penalty for a while, so not the smartest play. I said, 'Bro, you’ve got a third kid on the way. You just took money out of your pocket.'"

Interpreted as a cheap shot by Giants' linebacker Jihad Ward, Cobb's hit also apparently sparked some animosity between Ward and Rodgers. The on-field altercation was documented in Episode 4 of HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Cobb, who signed with Gang Green in May, has played 10 of his 12 NFL seasons with Rodgers as his quarterback. The 2011 second-round draft pick has made 625 catches over 155 regular season games. In 10 seasons with the Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers, Cobb pulled in 532 passes for 6,316 yards and 47 TD receptions.

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