The NY Jets may be finishing up OTAs, but they're still looking to add to their roster ahead of training camp. One very notable player they're keeping an eye on is Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.
KSTP's Darren Wolfson, a Minnesota Vikings reporter, said Tuesday on The Mackey & Judd Show that the Jets are "definitely interested" in pursuing Cook this offseason. Wolfson also added that the Dallas Cowboys have "kicked around the option of adding Cook."
A four-time Pro Bowler, Cook remains the subject of heavy trade rumors this offseason, although his $14 million cap hit in 2023 has deterred interested teams. He's technically still under contract for another two years, although he has just $3 million in guarantees past this season.
It seems unlikely that the Jets will trade for Cook, but the team is clearly interested. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise either.
It's no surprise the NY Jets are interested in Dalvin Cook
The Jets have been sniffing around the running back market all offseason, so the fact that they're considering adding Cook is very feasible. The team reportedly wanted to draft Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at pick 15 in the first round of this year's draft before he was selected a few slots earlier.
They then added Pittsburgh's Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round, but it's evident that the Jets aren't content with their running back room. This is likely due to the uncertain status of Breece Hall.
Hall is still recovering from a torn ACL, and although the Jets expect him to be ready for the start of the season, there's no guarantee that he will be handed a full workload early on.
Michael Carter is coming off a disappointing sophomore campaign, and the likes of Abanikanda and Zonovan Knight are unproven commodities. Cook may not be the player he used to be, but he comes with ample starting experience.
The former Florida State standout has rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the last four seasons, having made the Pro Bowl every year since 2019. He's still producing at a very high level.
The Jets are looking to add some extra insurance behind Hall ahead of the start of the season. Dalvin Cook seems to be one of their top targets.