Three Ways That Dalvin Cook Helps The Jets
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news last night that the Jets are signing free-agent RB Dalvin Cook to a one-year contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter then confirmed that the one-year deal could be worth up to $8.6 million.
After an elongated process of Cook testing free agency, New York ends up adding some extra talent to the offense in what hopes to be a promising season.
Jets Did Not Have To Overpay
When the Vikings initially released Dalvin Cook it was believed that the four-time pro bowler’s asking price could be over $10 million per year. I’m willing to bet Cook shopped around at that number while he was weighing his options, but after speaking with teams, the market just wasn’t there for him at that price.
With Aaron Rodgers taking a $30+ million pay cut in his newly restructured contract, the Jets gained more flexibility to entertain the idea of paying for a luxury.
New York was able to sign Cook to a deal that includes a $7 million base salary and could be worth an extra $1.6 million with incentives. While this deal could end up reaching close to $9 million, the former Viking would have to meet certain benchmarks to get the contract that high. All-in-all, New York gets Cook at a fair price for 2023.
Breece Hall Can Ease Back In
Probably the most significant aspect of this signing is that it allows the Jets to not have to depend too much on Breece Hall in the early part of the season. Hall is making his way back from a torn ACL that ended his season in October last year.
The Jets announced Tuesday that they have taken Breece Hall off the PUP list and he will be practicing this week in a “limited” fashion. Jets HC Robert Saleh said that "they're going to take their time with him" but he's confident that Hall will be ready for Week 1.
While I still fully expect Hall to be the lead back when fully healthy, Cook most definitely takes that pressure off of the second-year back.
Preventative Measures
The Jets acquiring Dalvin Cook means that they prevented him from signing elsewhere in the AFC East. It’s been reported that Cook had a desire to land somewhere in New York's division. The Patriots were said to be in the running but they just recently signed former Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott just hours before the Jets got a deal done with Cook.
The Dolphins seemed to be the Jets' only competition since Dalvin also valued playing his brother, Bills RB James Cook, twice a year. Last off-season, both teams were engaged in trade talks with the Chiefs for WR Tyreek Hill. Hill ultimately chose Miami, but this time the Jets come out on top and now New York’s signing of Dalvin Cook prevents them from facing the four-time pro bowler twice this season.
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