Former Dallas Cowboys (11-5) receiver Dez Bryant believes the team should sign free agent running back Dalvin Cook , whom the New York Jets (6-10) released Tuesday.
“Cowboys gotta grab Dalvin Cook! It makes too much sense!” Bryant wrote on X.
The Jets parted ways with Cook, 28, ahead of Week 18, giving him the opportunity to sign with a playoff team. The former Minnesota Vikings (7-9) star had four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons before signing with New York in 2023. This year, he’s tallied a career-low 214 yards on 3.2 yards per carry playing second-fiddle to Breece Hall.
Cook exceeded 10 carries in just one game — the season opening win over the Buffalo Bills (10-6). He had 33 yards on 13 carries in that outing. In his last appearance, the 22-20 defeat to the Miami Dolphins (11-5) on Dec. 17, Cook had one carry for four yards and one reception for six yards.
“Just good business for everyone,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday. “Dalvin’s been an incredible teammate since he’s walked in here. Obviously, it hasn’t gone the way any of us wanted. He’s been an unbelievable teammate, an unbelievable mentor to the young guys. I know he’s hurting, not physically but just wanting to be out there to help the team.
“He’s put aside all his frustrations and shown up with a smile on his face, energy in practice… And he’s been an unbelievable teammate. Whatever opportunity he gets I know he’s going to be great.”
Mike McCarthy addresses Cowboys’ potential interest in RB Dalvin Cook
Cook and the Jets agreed in August to a one-year contract worth up to $8.6 million. It was the best payday of any free agent running back last offseason. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cook is now restructuring his deal to forfeit remaining guarantees.
Dallas, in need of a victory over the Washington Commanders (4-12) in the season finale to win the NFC East, could use a veteran such as Cook to compliment Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle in the postseason. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the possibility of signing Cook while speaking with the media Wednesday.
“Those are questions you are always visiting with and so forth,” McCarthy said. “Obviously I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, played a number of games against [him] when Dalvin was in Minnesota. I have great respect for him.”
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