When Jets head coach Robert Saleh was requested in March about rumors the group was desirous about free agent working again Ezekiel Elliott, he didn’t hesitate to shoot them down.
“We love our working again room,” Saleh mentioned. “I’ll go away it at that.”
However is Dalvin Cook dinner’s availability sufficient to alter Saleh’s thoughts about his working backs room?
Saleh left the door open final month when requested about Cook dinner.
“We’ll flip the stones over on that one,” Saleh mentioned.
The Jets are two weeks away from reporting to coaching camp and one of many greatest questions hovering over the group is whether or not they’ll signal Cook dinner, who was launched by the Vikings this spring after 4 straight Professional Bowl seasons.
The Jets have monitored Cook dinner’s scenario they usually might change into if his price ticket will get low sufficient.
Cook dinner appears to be holding out hope that somebody goes to supply close to the $8 million he made final yr in Minnesota.
Gamers who’re free brokers in July can be found for a purpose.
Cook dinner’s decline in play final season and his large cap quantity beneath his outdated contract are the the explanation why he’s now in the marketplace.
If Cook dinner was keen to take a significant pay reduce, somebody would signal him — possibly the Jets.
There was numerous smoke about three AFC East groups, the Dolphins, Patriots and Jets, having curiosity in Cook dinner, however thus far nothing has occurred.
With coaching camps opening in a number of weeks, veterans nonetheless in the marketplace could begin altering their wage expectations and Cook dinner might signal someplace.
“Lots of people bought me pegged going again house [with the Dolphins], and lots of people bought me going to the Jets,” Cook dinner, a Miami native, mentioned lately on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It’s far and wide proper now. However what’s going to be necessary for me is simply going to that proper scenario and serving to any person flip the web page.
“I wish to go and be the piece that may simply assist any person win and recover from the hump, and no matter that scenario comes with — if it comes with me taking much less reps however me being within the good scenario to carry up that trophy — I don’t thoughts.”
Does Cook dinner make sense for the Jets? Let’s take a more in-depth look:
Why the Jets ought to signal Cook dinner
1. The Jets want one other playmaker for brand spanking new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Garrett Wilson goes to be a celebrity, however there aren’t any different certain issues among the many Jets’ ability gamers. Sure, Cook dinner slipped a bit in 2022, however he nonetheless rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 39 passes. Cook dinner would match properly in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense, which options loads of broad zone runs.
2. The Jets be ok with Breece Corridor’s restoration from his torn left ACL, however there isn’t a assure he’ll play in addition to he did final season (80 rushes, 463 yards, 4 TDs), notably early on. Sometimes, gamers don’t regain their kind till their second season again from an ACL harm. The Jets have Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Israel Abinakanda behind Corridor. The Jets should weigh how a lot, if in any respect, they really feel Cook dinner could be an improve.
3. The Jets are in win-now mode after buying and selling for Rodgers. They should do no matter they will to enhance the group and capitalize on this quick window to win. Cook dinner may be the veteran playmaker the Jets want to enhance Corridor.
Why the Jets ought to go
1. I believe the most important query must be the worth tag. If Cook dinner is in search of $8 million-$10 million, as rumored, they will’t try this. If they may get him for $4 million with incentives, that will be value contemplating. The Jets want cash for different gamers who would possibly change into obtainable throughout coaching camp. They’re skinny at security after the harm to Chuck Clark. They might use one other linebacker and doubtless one other broad receiver. These must be greater priorities than working again.
2. The Jets want to take a look at why the Vikings selected to maintain Alexander Mattison over Cook dinner. If Cook dinner was nonetheless in a position to play as he used to, Minnesota would have discovered a technique to make the cash work. Groups don’t discard good gamers. Cook dinner’s yards per carry had been a career-low 4.4 final yr and different superior metrics point out a decline. Cook dinner could also be extra identify than recreation at this level. Would he even be keen to return to the Jets in a backup function to Corridor or does he nonetheless view himself as s lead again?
3. Michael Carter has the same model to Cook dinner and confirmed flashes of potential as a rookie. He had a disappointing 2022 season, however the Jets anticipate a bounce again season. They might really feel like they don’t want so as to add Cook dinner for that purpose.
