A Different Frontrunner for Dalvin Cook Has Emerged
For about four months, no matter the source detailing the information or theory, the Miami Dolphins have acted as the eventual and probable landing spot for former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.
A Different Frontrunner for Dalvin Cook Has Emerged
The Vikings released Cook on June 9th after six years with the club, and the soon-to-be 28-year-old remains a free agent.
And while Cook could certainly fulfill everyone’s prophecies by joining his hometown Dolphins, a different contender has emerged and should be considered the new frontrunner — the New York Jets.
New York employs Breece Hall at RB1, a promising young playmaker who will earn the majority of rushing attempts before too long. But Hall is recovering from an injury suffered last year, and the suddenly-all-in Jets might want to hedge the bet on his recovery with Cook.
Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, was asked about his client joining the Jets last week, and he replied, “I think the Jets have a great thing going.”
Cook ranks fourth in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns since turning pro in 2017. Minnesota parted ways with him this offseason solely for cap-saving purposes.
“They’re all in. They want to win a Super Bowl. I think they want to bring a Super Bowl to New York City. They brought in an incredible, first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. Those types of players aren’t just out there like that,” Hiller continued.
The Jets have around the seventh-best odds (+1600) to win the Super Bowl in 2023, per sportsbooks. Aaron Rodgers totally changed the narrative on New York’s outlook.
Hiller also said about Rodgers and Cook’s possibility of landing in New York, “To get the opportunity to play with somebody of that caliber, you know you can go to the Super Bowl and that’s all it’s about. It’s winning Super Bowls, right? You play football your whole life for the opportunity to get to the highest level, and that’s winning a Super Bowl. So, as far as the New York Jets, I believe they’re right there, I really do.”
“To me, it looks like a great situation,” Hiller concluded.
All of Hiller’s comments should be taken seriously simply because he didn’t have to say a damn thing about the Jets.
In late June, ex-Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin, who now plays for the Jets, also expressed interest in playing with Cook in 2023. “There’s plenty of room. We’ve got room for whoever wants to come help us win a Super Bowl. Me and Dalvin were basically like locker mates for a couple years, and he was an awesome guy,” Conklin pitched as his best recruiting effort.
Other teams prominent in the Cook Sweepstakes, at least in theory, include the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and Dallas Cowboys — in addition to the Jets and Dolphins.
But if one puts faith if Cook’s representation’s words, the Jets should be the odds-on favorite to land the Florida State alumnus.
The Vikings will pivot to Alexander Mattison after Cook’s departure at RB1 in 2023.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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