by Tom LaMarre

The Oakland Raiders have lost probably their best player from the 2018 season, as tight end Jared Cook apparently has agreed to a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have made no announcement, but Cook took to Instagram on Friday morning to thank Raider Nation for his two-year stay in Oakland, during which he took his career to new heights.

“#raidernation I appreciate the love and support always,” Cook wrote. “Yal rock wit me tough.☠ #manimissmydawgs we had mad fun. To my fam in the Bay Love and thank you mucho! Save me a plate.”

Several media outlets reported earlier in the week that Cook had agreed to terms with the Saints. Spotrac estimates Cook’s value at $7.2 million per season.

The 6-5, 254-pound Cook became quarterback Derek Carr’s favorite receiver last season, especially after wide receiver Amari Cooper was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, and finished the year with a career-high 68 receptions for 896 yards, a 13.2-yard average, and six touchdowns.

Cook earned his first Pro Bowl selection, being the only Oakland player selected to the all-star game after a disastrous 4-12 season.

The year before in his first season in Oakland, Cook had the second-best season of his career, earning the starting job and catching 54 passes for 688 yards, a 12.7-yard average and two touchdowns.

The 31-year-old Cook had a total of 303 receptions for 3,880 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first eight NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers before signing with the Raiders as a free agent before the 2017 season.

The Titans made Cook their third-round pick (No. 89 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, where he played under head coach Steve Spurrier.

Before leaving Oakland, it appeared Cook might be ready to put his name on the Raiders’ long list of outstanding tight ends, including Billy Cannon, Raymond Chester, Dave Casper and Todd Christensen.

Now, he hopes to continue his improvement as a prime weapon of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Raiders have tight ends Darren Waller, Lee Smith, Derek Carrier and Paul Butler on the roster, with a competition for the starting job apparently set for training camp and preseason games.

Or, head coach Jon Gruden could opt for a tight end-by-committee approach, alternating tight ends depending on the game situation.