Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook, Ravens Agree To Terms

January 4th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored as a Dalvin Cook suitor, the Ravens will indeed bring the former Pro Bowler into the fold. Cook is committing to Baltimore, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

Cook commanded considerable interest this offseason, but he struggled with the Jets. The Ravens, however, have lost two key backs for the season. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 1, while explosive rookie Keaton Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month. Unclaimed on the waiver wire, Cook will move into position alongside Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. This will be a practice squad agreement to start, ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley tweets.

Baltimore has managed to build a strong offense despite key losses. Dobbins has not been available for nearly four months, while Mitchell only played in eight games. The Ravens have also been without Mark Andrews since mid-November. But the 13-3 team has done its best work without this trio, beating the 49ers and Dolphins convincingly over the past two games. Cook will, however, provide intriguing depth. This season’s issues notwithstanding, the former Vikings star does have a long track record of success.

Cook, 28, spent more than two months in free agency following his Vikings release. Countless rumors emerged connecting him to teams, mostly in the AFC East. The Jets beat out the Dolphins for the talented ball carrier, but he did not make much of an impact. Breece Hall was ready to go in Week 1, and the 2022 second-round pick put any timeshare thoughts to bed early. Cook has amassed just 214 yards on 67 carries this season, becoming an afterthought during another disappointing Jets season.

The 67 carries did not exactly add much to Cook’s odometer, and he only took double-digit handoffs in one game (Week 1) this season. That said, his career carry total is over 1,300 now. Cook’s 1,349 career totes rank sixth among active backs. Baltimore now employs two players in that top six, with Melvin Gordon at 1,586. Gordon has not played much of a role with the team this season, totaling 63 yards on 19 carries in three games. Cook may soon leapfrog the ninth-year veteran as well. He will have more than two weeks until Baltimore’s divisional-round game to cram in Todd Monken‘s offense.

Gordon has spent time on Baltimore’s practice squad this season but currently resides on the team’s active roster. Jake Funk and Owen Wright represent the running back contingent on the Ravens’ P-squad. It would seem one of the three non-Edwards-Hill runners would need to go to make room for Cook.

The Jets have seen offensive line injuries impact their offense, and the Aaron Rodgers setback obviously defined Gang Green’s season. Cook has still flashed underwhelming form, especially considering how productive he was in Minnesota. Coming into the season, Cook was the NFL’s only back to total at least 1,100 rushing yards each year from 2019-22. He posted 1,173 yards (4.4 per tote) and eight touchdowns with the Vikings last season, doing so despite a nagging shoulder injury. Cook underwent offseason surgery, though his Twin Cities form has yet to resurface. Last season, Cook also rated in the bottom third in Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric.

Unloading Mecole Hardman at the deadline, New York also attempted to trade Cook. The four-time Pro Bowler pursued an exit as well, though he stood down after the deadline. The latter’s $7MM base salary made that difficult, and he continued to languish on the bench as the Jets trudged through another season defined by Zach Wilson‘s failure to develop. The Cowboys explored a potential Cook addition, and the Ravens took a chance on no team claiming Cook’s salary (which amounted to a final game check) on waivers. No one did, and the team that clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed landed him.

Cook played a key role in helping the 2019 Vikings to the divisional round and elevating the ’22 squad to an unexpected NFC North title. The Ravens are highly unlikely to be eyeing Cook as a starter, but the team will explore him as a complementary piece as it attempts to book its first Super Bowl berth in 11 years.

RB Dalvin Cook Goes Unclaimed On Waivers

January 4th, 2024 at 3:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 4: The seventh-year veteran went unclaimed on waivers Thursday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Aiming to sign with a contender, Cook is now free to negotiate with any team as a free agent. He does not have much momentum, but the Ravens and Cowboys have surfaced as potential landing spots.

JANUARY 2: Nearing the end of a disappointing campaign for both team and player, the Jets are moving on from Dalvin Cook. The Pro Bowl back is being waived, per his agency.

As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes, this decision was a mutual one. Cook saw a smaller workload than expected after he elected to join New York in August. That agreement was a one-year contract, and he appeared to provide a veteran option to complement Breece Hall on a Jets offense which faced significant expectations. Things have not gone according to plan for either Cook or his employer, however.

The 28-year-old has not found a notable role in New York’s attack, receiving double-digit carries only once this season. He has averaged 4.5 attempts per contest this season, by far the lowest of his carer. On the lookout for a fresh start, Cook asked for a trade ahead of this year’s deadline. By that point, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had suffered a season-ending Achilles tear and Hall had proven his ability to recover in full from last year’s ACL tear. No deal emerged, though, and Cook remained a minor contributor on one of the league’s least-productive units through Week 16.

A report from last month stated the longtime Vikings starter would not ask for a larger share in the offense or to be let go. In spite of that, he will now have the opportunity to join a new team by being claimed off waivers or signing with a playoff-bound club. To help make his arrival more feasible from a financial standpoint, Cook has agreed to restructure his pact and forfeit his remaining guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When on the field with the Jets, Cook did not make the impact many expected he would. The four-time Pro Bowler has not topped the 59 scrimmage yards he posted in Week 1 in any game since, averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. He has not found the end zone in 2023 after scoring double-digit touchdowns in three of the past four years. Increased age (especially within the context of the RB position) and financial factors led to Cook’s Minnesota release, a move which has now proven to be a shrewd one.

In spite of Cook’s struggles this season, he will still offer a veteran backfield presence to any team in need of depth ahead of a postseason run. Presuming he clears waivers, the Florida State alum will be free to join any interested team. Helping a new squad’s postseason run would help in the immediate future, but it could also rebuild his free agent stock to an extent.

The Dolphins were heavily involved in pursuing Cook, going as far as to submit an offer for him before his decision to join the Jets. A homecoming for the Miami native could be on tap in advance of the postseason if interest from team and player still exists. In any case, Cook will be in a new home the next time he takes the field in the NFL.

Ravens, Cowboys Interested In Dalvin Cook?

January 3rd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dalvin Cook saw his brief and underwhelming Jets tenure come to an end yesterday. As a result, he is on the waiver wire until Thursday afternoon. A free agent agreement with a playoff-bound team (presuming he clears) would come as little surprise.

Suitors in that regard may be emerging. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Ravens and Cowboys are among the teams which could consider adding the four-time Pro Bowl running back. No firm interest appears to be in place at this point, and that will likely remain the case until Cook clears waivers. Still, both teams would represent logical landing spots if a deal were to emerge.

As Anderson notes, Baltimore would specifically be eyeing Cook as a practice squad addition (although the same will likely be true for Dallas and any other interested parties). Players added to the taxi squad can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times without occupying a 53-man roster spot, something of particular importance in the postseason.

The Ravens lead the league in rushing this season, averaging nearly 160 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has accounted for for a large portion of that success, however, and the team finds itself thin in the backfield late in the year. Starter J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season to an Achilles tear in Week 1, though undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell burst onto the scene midway through the campaign. The latter took on an increased workload upon entering the lineup, and he averaged 8.4 yards per carry in his brief stretch of action.

However, Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month, sidelining him until 2024. The Ravens will therefore depend largely on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill at the RB spot in the postseason. Cook could attempt to carve out a limited role in Baltimore’s backfield while looking to boost his free agent stock in the process.

The Cowboys have not been as strong as expected on the ground this season, the first full campaign with Tony Pollard in place as the undisputed lead back. Playing on the $10.1MM franchise tag in 2023, Pollard has posted a career-low 4.0 yards per carry average; his impact in the passing game (295 scoreless yards on 53 receptions) has also left something to be desired. He will still enter the postseason as the clear option atop the depth chart, though.

Dallas’ second-leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, has amassed just 315 yards this year. That has contributed to the Cowboys’ middling performance in their ground attack (averaging 112 yards per contest, 14th in the NFL). Cook may have a clearer path to playing time with Dallas, but questions will be asked with respect to how much he will be able to contribute to close out the campaign. The longtime Vikings starter logged just 67 carries with the Jets this year, the first time he failed to receive triple-digit attempts since 2018.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets the Cowboys are simply doing their due diligence on Cook at this point. With further developments likely to take place in the near future, the interest shown by Dallas, Baltimore and any other RB-needy teams will be a storyline to follow closely in advance of the postseason.

Jets RB Dalvin Cook Will Not Ask For A Release Or More Carries

December 3rd, 2023 at 12:49pm CST by Rory Parks

Like most players on the team’s offense, Jets running back Dalvin Cook is slogging through a disappointing 2023 campaign. In 11 games, he has recorded just 50 carries and is averaging a meager 3.2 yards per carry, which is by far a career-worst mark.

For what it’s worth, Cook was not hoping to be traded at the deadline — it sounds as if he did not generate much interest anyway — and will not ask for his release or for more carries, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. Although Cook presumably would prefer to catch on with a legitimate contender and would likely clear waivers and become a free agent if the Jets were to cut him, he says that his family has settled in New Jersey.

That said, he is frustrated about his usage. “For any guy that has produced in this league, it’s frustrating,” Cook said. “You want to be productive. I was hoping just to be in the right situation for me. Like I said, I want an opportunity. I feel great. My body is ready to roll. I was just hoping for a great opportunity.”

Cimini points out that Cook, who saw just one carry last week and two the week before, has at least looked more like his old self of late (41 yards on his last seven totes), and that it may make sense to give him a larger role in light of RB1 Breece Hall‘s struggles. Hall (hamstring) and Cook (shoulder) were both dealing with injuries in advance of today’s game against the Falcons, but both are active.

And as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported (video link), the plan was for Cook, who has been “looking better and better in practice,” to see a heavier workload against Atlanta and perhaps to get more carries than he has all season (the 13 carries Cook received in Week 1 represent a season-high). As of the time of this writing, Hall has four carries for two yards in the Falcons matcup, while Cook has three carries for 22 yards.

Barring a late-season explosion, Cook will likely not match the $7MM salary he is earning from the Jets this year on his next contract. The 28-year-old nonetheless has a chance to prove that he is still capable of playing at the level he established during his lengthy tenure with the Vikings — he earned a Pro Bowl nod for four straight seasons from 2019-22 — and to make himself more attractive to RB-needy clubs.

Russini’s Latest: Broncos, Jets, Eagles

October 29th, 2023 at 10:22am CST by Rory Parks

Dianna Russini of The Athletic has been especially prolific with respect to trade deadline reporting. As we approach the October 31 cutoff, here are a few of Russini’s latest updates from around the league (subscription required):

Broncos wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have once again featured prominently in this year’s trade rumors. However, a deal has never felt imminent, and none of the current offers that Denver has received have come close to the club’s asking price. One general manager who has spoken with the Broncos told Russini that the team is not “selling cheaply.” Russini confirms previous reports indicating that cornerback Patrick Surtain is not available, despite understandable outside interest in his services.
We heard yesterday that the Bills could be looking to move 2022 first-rounder Kaiir Elam, and Russini reports that Buffalo is looking into cornerback additions. She does not say so specifically, but it could be that the Bills are looking for a replacement for Elam, who has not yet lived up to his draft status.
Rich Cimini of ESPN.com confirms that Jets GM Joe Douglas is willing to move running back Dalvin Cook and edge defender Carl Lawson, especially after both players recently expressed frustration with their current roles. Unsurprisingly, though, Russini reports that Douglas is not getting many calls on either player. Lawson is a healthy scratch for today’s game against the Giants.
Echoing her report from earlier this month, Russini writes that the Cardinals are still not looking to trade wideout Marquise Brown, even though they have received trade interest in the contract-year speedster.
They might be low on cap space, and they might have already made one significant trade acquisition in safety Kevin Byard, but Russini says the Eagles are still looking to buy and are interested in a linebacker. The 49ers are also working the phones and have interest in an edge rusher and a cornerback.
Unlike the Eagles and Niners, the Chiefs, Falcons, and Texans are among the clubs that are expected to stand down at the deadline.

Jets’ Dalvin Cook Seeking Trade; Carl Lawson Eyeing Larger Role

October 27th, 2023 at 10:19am CST by Sam Robinson

While veteran additions highlighted the Jets’ offseason plan, their Aaron Rodgers-centered blueprint quickly changed. Although the future Hall of Fame quarterback has not given up hope of returning late this season and is under contract through 2024, some of the vets the Jets eyed as complementary pieces this year do not presently possess notable roles.

The Jets already traded Mecole Hardman because of the speed merchant’s reduced playing time, and Dalvin Cook is seeking to follow him out the door. Going from a free agent linked to a few teams to an afterthought, Cook said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) he is planning to approach GM Joe Douglas about a trade. Cook’s name has already come up in trade rumors, with a recent report indicating the Jets would be fine with moving him.

“It’s something I can’t control, that my name is being floated around in trade rumors,” Cook said, via Cimini. “It might be a good thing. Maybe [it’s] a bad thing.”

The Vikings attempted to trade Cook for weeks before releasing him in May. The Dolphins had discussed a trade with the Vikings, but Cook ended up spending several weeks in free agency. Connected to Miami and New England, Cook instead ended up in New York, with Rodgers playing a key part in bringing the former Pro Bowler to town. Cook, who is tied to a one-year deal worth $7MM, entered the season as the only back who had surpassed 1,100 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons. Through six Jets games, he has 109 yards on 39 carries. Breece Hall‘s return from an October 2022 ACL tear has marginalized Cook, whose 2.8-yard average ranks last out of qualified backs this season.

Cook said he expected more responsibilities with the Jets, per Cimini. After an 11-touch Week 4, Cook has combined for 16 over the past three games. Of course, Cook’s performance will not make him an appealing trade piece. Austin Ekeler pushed for a Chargers exit this year and was not believed to have generated much interest. Derrick Henry‘s name has resurfaced in pre-deadline rumors, but teams appear to be angling for the Titans to eat a chunk of his salary. Even with Cook not being attached to the lucrative Vikes contract, his production would not stand to generate much trade interest.

The Jets are still giving Cook reps; Carl Lawson was a healthy scratch in Week 5. The Jets have gone from giving the ex-Bengal a three-year, $45MM contract ahead of Robert Saleh‘s first season to burying the former big-ticket free agent on their defensive line depth chart. Connected to trade rumors along with Hardman last week, Lawson confirmed he would be interested in being dealt to a team that would use him more frequently.

“I definitely want to play and contribute. I know I can; I’ve proven that,” Lawson said. “Yeah, I always want to contribute, but right now I’m with the Jets, but I definitely want to play more. I definitely want to do what I did last year. … I’m a football player, not a cheerleader.”

Lawson, 28, accepted a pay cut this offseason but is still attached to a $6MM salary. The Jets turning him from starter to bench stash has also obviously dented his trade appeal. Lawson’s seven sacks and 24 QB hits played a major role in helping the Jets go from 32nd to fourth in scoring defense last season. Now two years removed from the Achilles tear that wiped out his 2021 season, the former third-round pick has not factored in prominently thus far this year. This surprising contract-year demotion also stands to impact his 2024 free agency value.

Looming as a franchise tag candidate in Cincinnati two years ago, Lawson has seen his career hit a crossroads. He will have a much better chance of earning another noteworthy contract next year than Cook will, but the Jets will likely continue to see if any trade materializes for either first.

Jets Willing To Trade Carl Lawson, Dalvin Cook?

October 15th, 2023 at 10:20am CST by Rory Parks

The Jets reportedly plan to trade or cut wide receiver Mecole Hardman, and several other notable players could be on the move. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required), New York is willing to trade edge defender Carl Lawson and may be open to dealing running back Dalvin Cook as well.

Lawson joined the Jets on a three-year, $45MM deal in March 2021, but he missed all of the 2021 season due to an Achilles tear he sustained in August of that year. He bounced back to start all 17 of the club’s games in 2022, recording 24 quarterback hits and seven sacks. He also earned a strong 72.8 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus, though his 48.8 run defense grade left much to be desired.

The 28-year-old missed most of this year’s training camp due to back tightness, which also kept him out of the regular season opener. While he suited up for each of the next three contests, he did not appear in more than 23 snaps in any of them and was a healthy scratch in Week 5. It appears that he will not play a significant role on the defense moving forward, and he has become a trade candidate as a result.

Though he has never produced double-digit sacks in a single season, Lawson does have a track record as a useful pass rusher, and he will likely generate interest from other clubs. Further helping the Jets’ cause is the fact that Lawson agreed to a pay cut in May, making his contract easier to absorb. As he is in a platform season, however, New York’s return will naturally be limited.

Cook, meanwhile, joined the Jets in August in the hopes that he would become another high-profile weapon on an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. The longtime Viking has not yet played to his Pro Bowl potential and has accumulated just 97 rushing yards on 36 carries (good for a meager 2.7 yards-per-carry average). He has added eight catches for 44 yards.

Since second-year pro Breece Hall has looked just as explosive as he did before a torn ACL ended his rookie season prematurely, the Jets could be inclined to recover some draft pick compensation for their Cook investment. That would presumably lead to more work for Michael Carter — who played a prominent role in Gang Green’s backfield in each of the past two seasons — and fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com echoes Russini’s report that GM Joe Douglas could consider Cook expendable.

Details On Dalvin Cook’s Contract With Jets

August 17th, 2023 at 6:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Dalvin Cook‘s contract with the Jets was reported as a $7MM pact with $8.6MM upside. We’ve now got specific details on the contract from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, and if Cook is hoping to cash in, he’ll need to stay active and productive.

As Florio details, $5.92MM of Cook’s contract is tied to him not being on the reserve/suspended list, protecting the organization in case the running back faces NFL punishment stemming from a domestic violence lawsuit. As Florio plainly explains it, the Jets can save more than $400K for each game that Cook misses due to suspension.

Specifically, the $8.6MM upside includes $1.2MM in per-game bonuses (~$70K per game) and $4.72MM in 53-man roster bonuses (~$277K per week). That latter total is paid out as long as Cook is on the 53-man roster (regardless of whether he’s active or inactive), injured reserve, or the physical unable to perform list. That $4.72MM amount is also guaranteed if Cook is released by the organization, although the hypothetical guaranteed money would be void if the running back is suspended.

For what it’s worth, head coach Robert Saleh didn’t sound all that worried about a suspension for his new running back.

“No, we’re not concerned,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Twitter). “We will see how all of that stuff goes, but at this moment we are not concerned.”

Cook doesn’t only have to remain on the roster in order to earn his maximum contract, as $1.6MM is tied to incentives. The RB can earn $400K for topping 1,250 yards from scrimmage and another $400K for eclipsing 1,500 yards from scrimmage. If Cook hits that 1,250-yard mark, he can earn an additional $205K for each playoff win. Total that all up (the $5.92MM in roster bonuses coupled with Cook’s guaranteed $1.08MM base salary), and that results in Cook’s $8.6MM deal.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Raiders, Samuel

August 16th, 2023 at 11:19am CST by Sam Robinson

Although their interest in Dalvin Cook appeared to cool early in the long-running sweepstakes, the Broncos did keep tabs on the high-profile free agent. The team continued to look into Cook, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Cook has since signed a one-year, $7MM Jets deal. While Pelissero adds the Broncos may look to add another back to a group headlined by Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, the team is sorting through some options behind the veterans. Second-year back Tyler Badie, rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin and ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Tony Jones Jr. are vying for Denver’s RB3 job presently.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

The Raiders took a few fliers at cornerback in free agency, signing Duke Shelley and David Long and reuniting with Brandon Facyson. None of the trio looks likely to start. Instead, fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett looks to have leapfrogged them. Shelley and Long have fallen out of the mix to start, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashaun Reed, who project Bennett to start alongside Marcus Peters and Nate Hobbs (subscription required). Both Long and Facyson have missed time due to injury in camp. The Raiders chose Bennett 104th overall, which would make a Week 1 starting assignment notable. But the Silver and Black, who let Rock Ya-Sin walk (to replace Peters in Baltimore), came into the offseason with major questions at corner.
Despite a three-interception wild-card performance, third-year Chargers corner Asante Samuel Jr. faced the prospect of being a backup to start this season. Ja’Sir Taylor, a sixth-round 2022 draftee, has competed with the multiyear starter for the slot job. But Samuel looks to have surged ahead, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. If J.C. Jackson completes his recovery from a torn patellar tendon in time, the Chargers are preparing to roll out a Jackson-Samuel-Michael Davis cornerback look. If Jackson needs more time, the Bolts would likely go with a Davis-Samuel-Taylor trio.
The Bolts are fairly set at receiver, with Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis‘ Fort Worth-to-Los Angeles treks giving the team five locks at the position. In addition to the TCU alums, Josh Palmer has made strides in his third training camp. This looked to put Jalen Guyton and John Hightower to a battle for the final spot, Popper adds. But both players are dealing with injuries. After a strong start to camp, Hightower — a 2020 Eagles draftee who has not caught a pass since his rookie year — suffered an injury and has not practiced in a week. Guyton, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season, remains on the Bolts’ active/PUP list. Stashing the deep threat on the reserve/PUP list to start the season is looking likely, per Popper.
K’Waun Williams is expected to be the Broncos‘ slot corner for a second season, but an ankle injury has sidelined him for over a week. The veteran slot defender sought a second opinion on the injury recently, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who notes surgery is not on the docket at this point. A rest-and-rehab operation will be utilized to have Williams ready for Week 1, though this becomes a situation to monitor for a Broncos team that remains without third-round corner Riley Moss. Essang Bassey filled in for Williams as the top nickel in Denver’s preseason opener.
Davis Webb resides in the strange position of being a 28-year-old quarterbacks coach tasked with helping a decorated 34-year-old passer bounce back. But Russell Wilson‘s position coach has been on the coaching radar for a bit now, despite only retiring this year. After the Bills wanted him to be their QBs coach last year, Sean McDermott, Brian Daboll and Eli Manning endorsed Webb to Payton, Jori Epstein of Yahoo.com notes. Webb “blew away” Broncos brass in his interview, per GM George Paton. His final season — as a Giants third-stringer — involved scouting and coaching, Epstein adds, making this an easier transition than it would appear.

Jets To Sign RB Dalvin Cook

August 14th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after the Patriots reached a deal with Ezekiel Elliott, the Jets will finalize an agreement with their long-rumored target. Dalvin Cook agreed to a one-year deal with the Jets on Monday, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report.

This wraps a long-running saga for Cook, who has been a free agent for several weeks now. The Jets had loomed as a Cook suitor for most of this span, and while the former Vikings Pro Bowler had been closely connected to his hometown Dolphins, the Jets were the only team to bring him in for a visit. That meeting has eventually produced a deal.

In terms of base value, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds this agreement will be worth $7MM (Twitter link). The contract will be worth a maximum of $8.6MM, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. Midway through the Jets’ preseason slate, Cook will sign on with the rising team. Aaron Rodgers‘ pay-cut agreement will lead to a high-profile weapon signing on, with the Jets securing an elite Breece Hall insurance option.

While the Dolphins had talked terms with Cook, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com adds they were never on this level. The Vikings will also benefit, with a $2MM offset in place, per ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert (Twitter links). Despite not having a locked-in starter option on Hall’s level, the Dolphins had viewed Cook as a luxury. Mike McDaniel‘s team will stand pat with its re-signed duo of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, along with third-round rookie Devon Achane.

Even though the Dolphins were the only known team to discuss a Cook trade with the Vikings, they are standing down. Additionally, the chance to face the Bills twice was also important to the veteran, per Fowler, with younger brother James Cook set to start for the three-time defending division champs.

The Jets have been bullish on Hall’s chances of returning by Week 1, and the New York Post’s Brian Costello notes this Cook addition does not reflect a change in that stance. Hall is still on track for the opener (Twitter link). The 2022 second-rounder suffered an ACL tear during the Jets’ Week 7 win against the Broncos. Cook’s arrival will allow the Jets to slow-play Hall’s return, and it is also worth wondering what kind of rotation will form during the Iowa State product’s first season back from the injury. Cook’s contract points to a regular role, as opposed to a change-of-pace backup, in his seventh NFL season.

Cook’s deal represents a rare 2023 win for backs. Coming after countless setbacks for the RB market, Cook securing $7MM in base value provides him with a parachute after the Vikings cut bait on his $12.6MM-per-year deal. Prior to Monday, none of this year’s free agent backs secured more than $6.3MM per year. While Miles Sanders did see more guaranteed — on a four-year Panthers agreement — the Jets are giving Cook upper-middle-class money on a one-year accord to help their 2023 Super Bowl push.

The Patriots gave Elliott $4MM guaranteed, which is also more than a few starter-caliber backs — including Mostert and Wilson — received this year. Neither Mostert nor Wilson landed $3MM locked in, but the Jets placed a high value on Cook, who will leapfrog the likes of Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter upon signing. The Pats pursued Cook as well, and Kareem Hunt has now visited three teams. But the Jets were not believed to have been interested in the non-Cook wing of free agent backs.

Going into his age-28 season, Cook is riding the NFL’s only active streak of four straight 1,100-yard rushing slates. He has also been an effective receiver at points, though the Vikings did not utilize him in this capacity consistently. The Vikings viewed the explosive back’s contract, which had been agreed to just before the 2020 season, as a luxury they could no longer afford. Minnesota instead re-signed Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7MM deal that is almost entirely guaranteed. As the Vikings joined other NFL teams in skimping on RB costs, the Jets now have one of this era’s better backs supplementing a recent second-rounder.

While Cook is set to give the Jets a Hall security blanket, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes (via Twitter) he will not practice immediately. Cook underwent shoulder surgery — to fix an issue that had lingered for multiple seasons — in February. But the standout back has never been mentioned as a candidate to miss time because of the procedure. His signing delay and the additional time off needed will allow Cook to skip training camp. Though, it should be expected Cook will be the subject of a few Liev Schreiber-voiced sentences before this year’s Hard Knocks concludes.

Cook helped the Vikings to two playoff berths in this span, giving Kirk Cousins an upper-crust option on which to lean. Rodgers had a strong RB duo in recent years as well, with AJ Dillon joining Aaron Jones over the past three seasons. Should Hall regain his rookie-year form at some point in 2023, Rodgers will once again have a top-end RB duo in place. The Jets have some questions up front, but Cook loads up a skill-position corps that also features Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Corey Davis. Once a rumored cap casualty, Davis remains with the Jets on the three-year deal he signed in 2021. The Jets turned the Quinnen Williams extension into cap space, with Rodgers agreeing to trim his guarantee total in order to help fit in vets like Cook.

The Jets would still have the option of placing Hall on the reserve/PUP list, which would allow him an onramp — in the form of a four-game absence — into his second season. That would be a bit of a surprise, though, even considering Cook’s $7MM payment. But after a highly publicized free agency stay, Cook has joined an expected contender and will have a chance to make an impact alongside Rodgers.

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