Free agent running back Dalvin Cook reportedly will visit the New York Jets this weekend.
Four-time Pro Bowl playmaker Dalvin Cook is flying today to New York for a visit with the #Jets this weekend.
Â
Cook, who averages 107 yards per game in his career, knows Aaron Rodgers from years of NFC North battles. Now they could team up to try to win a Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/lZtVyZaeMb— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 27, 2023
The Miami Dolphins have been rumored to be targeting Cook, but their divisional rivals are as well and may have a better chance of getting a deal done.
New York freed up some money by negotiating a new deal with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers that has him taking a significant pay cut to chase a Super Bowl.
The #Jets signed four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to a new two-year, $75 million guaranteed contract through the 2024 season, per NFL salary data.
Rodgers had nearly $110M guaranteed remaining on his old deal in GB. He’s taking less for a shot at a ring (or two) in New York. pic.twitter.com/FI6rmtgmAO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 26, 2023
That could allow the Jets to add Cook to their running back room, which already features 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall.
The Minnesota Vikings released Cook earlier this offseason, but the running back hasn’t been in a rush to sign a new deal. Despite Cook being productive in the 2022 campaign, Minnesota didn’t want to pay his major contract in the 2023 season.
Last season, Cook recorded his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing campaign for the Vikings, but he did average the fewest yards per carry of his career (4.4). He ended up carrying the ball 264 times for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns.
Cook can also do damage in the passing game, as he’s caught at least 34 passes in every season since his second year in the league. In the 2022 campaign, Cook had 295 receiving yards and two receiving scores.
The Dolphins have a deep running back room, but they don’t have a player of Cook’s pedigree on the roster at the position. Right now, Miami has Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and 2023 draft pick De’Von Achane.
Cook is apparently also thinking about visiting another AFC East team, the New England Patriots.
While Dalvin Cook prepares for a visit with the #Jets this week, he’s also in talks with the #Patriots about setting up a possible visit to New England, per source. Both teams have shown steady interest in the four-time Pro Bowler.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 27, 2023
It certainly would hurt the Dolphins if they missed out on Cook and he signed with the Jets or Patriots. Miami faces New York and New England two times each every season since they are in the same division.
New York is hoping to get back to the playoffs now that Rodgers is on the roster. The Jets were in the mix for a playoff spot last season, but poor quarterback play doomed the team down the stretch. New England is looking to make it back to the postseason after a poor 2022 campaign.
Now, with an MVP-caliber quarterback calling the shots, the Jets can go all in and bring in a player like Cook to chase a championship.
It will be interesting to see if Cook chooses to sign with the Jets or Patriots or if the Dolphins get a chance to convince him to come to South Florida for the 2023 season.
