Jets' Robert Saleh responds to fiery Dalvin Cook comments

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke with reporters Friday and responded to running back Dalvin Cook mentioning his "frustrating" amount of playing time ahead of this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. 

"I’m not surprised, he’s a competitor," Saleh said about Cook, per the Jets' website. "I’m actually happy he’s a little frustrated because it means he’s all in and he wants to be a part of it, he wants to get reps, he wants to play, he’s not just here to collect a paycheck. So yeah, if he wasn’t frustrated, then I’d think something was wrong, but it’s natural. He’s a competitor." 

Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, turned 28 years old in August and signed a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $8.6M with the Jets that same month. He recorded 109 rushing yards on 39 carries across New York's first six games and indicated Thursday he could soon "sit down and talk with my agent and [Jets general manager Joe Douglas]" about what's best for all parties before the trade deadline comes and goes. 

"You’re allowed to be frustrated, but still all in, and his leadership in the locker room has been unbelievable," Saleh noted about Cook. "The way he communicates with the young guys and the way he kind of gives guidance along the way, and the way he approaches practice and rehab and regen and the weight room and all the meeting rooms, he’s been awesome. So, to express a little frustration is normal, but Dalvin’s all in." 

As shown by ESPN stats, second-year pro Breece Hall enters the weekend leading the 3-3 Jets with 66 carries, 426 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Hall is averaging 6.5 yards per attempt ahead of Sunday's game against the 2-5 New York Giants. 

"The frustration is normal," Saleh added about Cook. "Expressing that frustration, it’s normal, and I’d much rather have that than him just staying silent and just walking into the building, collecting his paycheck and going home."

Saleh neither confirmed nor denied the Jets could look to get something for Cook before Tuesday's deadline. Brian Costello of the New York Post previously reported he "can’t see Douglas giving Cook away," but one wonders if the situation could change depending on all that occurs around the league before "Monday Night Football" concludes. 

As of Friday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Jets as three-point "road" favorites against the Giants.