Cook Flirts, Exits Sans a Big Jets Contract

Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings in June after six seasons with the club. He was set to take up $14.1 million of the team’s salary cap this coming season, but the Vikings opted to go with a cheaper in-house option in Alexander Mattison. His release saved the team nine million dollars.

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Cook played his college ball at Florida State where he racked up 4,464 rushing yards with the Seminoles in three seasons. For his accomplishments, Cook was named a unanimous All-American after the 2016 season.

Cook was a Star with the Vikings

He started from day one with the Vikings but injuries in his first two seasons limited his playing time. Although he suffered periodic injuries after those first two seasons, Cook became, and remained, a star running back in the NFL. He rushed for an average of 1,256 yards over those four seasons and added 43 touchdowns.

Additionally, he was a receiving threat recording 170 catches over that same period while scoring an additional five touchdowns. Cook is a shifty back, with excellent breakaway speed. His longest run from scrimmage as a Viking was a 75-yard scamper for a touchdown against the Packers in 2019.

Could Join Rodgers and Hall in the Backfield

Without Cook, Breece Hall remains the starter with Michael Carter backing him up. Hall was having a blossoming rookie season with the Jets in 2022 until he tore his ACL in a game against the Broncos last October. The Jets deem it unlikely that his rehab will be completed by the first week of the season. Hence, the perceived urgency in signing Cook.

The match would have been a good fit. New offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has successfully deployed a rotating running back system. This was on display during the 2021 season, when he was the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

That year, he rotated Packer running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillion very effectively. They both ended up with around 800 yards rushing for the year. And the only edge that Jones had in playing time was due to the fact that he was more heavily used in passing situations.

Hall has expressed discontent on social media with the wooing of Cook. He wants to remain the number-one running back in New York. However, Rodgers and Jets’ coach Robert Salah are still interested and would love to get Cook in camp. Without question, Jets fans and the New York media will closely scrutinize how this possible deal works out.