Dalvin Cook says it was a 'no brainer' to join Ravens

The Ravens signed four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook last week after he parted ways with the Jets. The veteran running back has since revealed Baltimore wasn't his only suitor and why he decided to join the team.

"It wasn't the only opportunity for me, but when this door opened up, I was the first one to walk in," Cook told reporters. "It was a no-brainer for me."

Only time will tell if Cook made the right decision, but he has certainly put himself in a great position to be hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy by season's end. 

The Ravens (13-4) have the NFL's best record after dominating some of the league's top teams near the end of the regular season, including the NFC's No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers. Baltimore's strong finish is surely a big reason for Cook's attraction to the team.

'These guys put in the work to have a first-round bye and be the No. 1 seed," Cook added. "These guys have put the hard work in already. ... Now it's time for me to help these guys any way I can."

What Cook's role will be remains to be seen but he's set up to have success in the league's best rushing offense (156.5 yards per game).

The 28-year-old is bringing something to the Ravens that not a lot of teams can say they have this time of year and that's fresh legs. He carried the ball just 67 times for 214 yards with New York this season.

It's unlikely the Ravens will turn to Cook to be their RB1 with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill already playing well. But the former second-round pick brings much higher upside than the other two as a four-time 1,000-plus-yard rusher from 2019-22.

Thanks to Baltimore's first-round bye, Cook has also had plenty of time to get caught up on the playbook.

Cook could very well develop into the Ravens' lead back during their postseason run but he'll have to make the most of his early touches to do so.