A Former Viking Is Recruiting Dalvin Cook
The odds of Dalvin Cook joining the New York Jets are increasing.
The Minnesota Vikings released the tailback on June 9th, paving the way for Cook to sign anywhere in the NFL. And the stars could be aligning for a union with Aaron Rodgers’ team.
A Former Viking Is Recruiting Dalvin Cook
Former Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin was asked about the possibility of Cook becoming a Jet on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football this week. He wasn’t shy, “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 played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2021, so a teammate of Cook’s for four years.
“I reached out to him — are the rumors true? Is this actually possible? I mean, that would be a special backfield,” Conklin added.
“I think that would be special, especially in this outside zone scheme,” Conklin concluded. Meanwhile, Cook evidently likes the New York Jets idea. He retweeted the video featuring Conklin with two 100 emojis.
Cook was scheduled for a $14.1 million cap hit in 2023, and Minnesota preferred a more affordable alternative in Alexander Mattison. The Cook rumor mill has not been quiet whatsoever since the start of March, linking Cook to the Miami Dolphins ad nauseam, the Denver Broncos, the Dallas Cowboys, and now the Jets rather emphatically.
The 27-year-old has also hinted recently he’s in no rush to sign somewhere this summer, perhaps waiting to see what happens with the franchise-tagged statuses of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard. Their eventual agreements with teams could set a baseline for Cook’s asking price in July or August.
Conklin, 27, was unexpectedly terrific for the Vikings in 2021, snatching 61 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He ranked 15th in the NFL among tight ends for receiving yards in the ballpark with players like T.J. Hockenson, Dawson Knox, and Tyler Higbee. Then, in March 2022, Conklin joined the Zach Wilson-led Jets in free agency and fired up 58 receptions for 552 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’ll now play with the aforementioned Rodgers, who was traded from the Green Bay Packers to New York in April.
Additionally, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported last week, “The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are just two of many teams that are doing homework on Dalvin Cook.”
The Jets employ Breece Hall at RB1, and he’s recovering from a season-ending injury suffered last October. If totally upright and ready to go, New York wouldn’t need an extra RB1 alongside Hall. However, if the Jets wanted to proceed cautiously with the youngster, adding Cook to the depth chart checks out.
And if Conklin gets his wish, Cook could be on his way to New York. Both seem to enjoy the idea.
The Jets also employ former Vikings linebacker Chazz Surratt.
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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