Kansas City Chiefs fans had the pleasure of watching Bryan Cook grow from second-round rookie in 2022 into the team's best safety four years later. In the process, Cook helped deliver two Super Bowl championships and another appearance in the title game, so it stung just a bit when Chiefs Kingdom watched Cook leave in free agency to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cook's departure was par for the course this offseason, since nearly every member of the Chiefs' heralded '22 draft class found big money with other teams. Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie are now with the L.A. Rams. Joshua Williams is in Tennessee. Cook was the best free-agent safety on the market, and he deserved to get paid.
The Bengals locked up Cook with a three-year deal worth up to $40.25 million, and a franchise that struggled to tackle anyone a year ago is hoping he can help change the culture. The good news is that Cook believes the pieces are falling into place after spending a few months learning the system and meeting his teammates.
Cook spoke to reporters earlier in June after a minicamp session and provided some insight into his approach as an outsider. "Really just building chemistry. Becoming more knowledgeable about the playbook, understanding nuances, being able to compete now against the offense," he said of the secondary's objectives, adding that "big teams start now, not when the season starts."
The Cincinnati Bengals added a strong leader in the secondary when they signed Bryan Cook.
When asked whether becoming a captain was a goal in Cincinnati, Cook kept the focus where Chiefs fans remember it being during his time in Kansas City. "I want to win games. Whether that's you or me or not, I'm here to do one thing and one thing only. I'm here to win games. I'll definitely be appreciative, for sure, and I'll wear it with a badge of honor, but that's not my main focus, no."
Cook has played with the best quarterback in the game for the last four seasons, but he's also got a lot of respect—as he should—for his newest teammate in Joe Burrow. The quarterback has already praised Cook's arrival, and the respect is mutual. "Just a real down-to-earth guy. Outside of football, down-to-earth guy. He's very humble for who he is," Cook said. "Definitely a good leader, a great leader, even a better person."
The Chiefs are now turning to a newly rebuilt secondary in much the same way they did in 2022 when Cook arrived. Alohi Gilman is the new veteran leader alongside a host of new cornerbacks. Meanwhile, Cook is trying to help lay a foundation in Cincinnati after playing for the league's most recent dynasty. If he's right about the chemistry being built, the Bengals will be much better for it.
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