AUGUST 3: As the wait for Cook’s ultimate decision continues, one could be made in the coming days. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that talks between Cook and the Jets are “expected to accelerate” after tonight’s Hall of Fame Game. It will be interesting to see how willing New York is to stick to its price point, especially if its interest is as limited as Costello reported yesterday. The Jets’ next preseason contest is August 12, leaving plenty of time for a deal to be hammered out or, perhaps, for different suitor to make a renewed push.
AUGUST 2: This offseason has certainly brought some public free agency derbies. Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins‘ stays on the market have not quite matched Dalvin Cook‘s for transparency, with the ex-Vikings running back keeping fans abreast of his situation at nearly every turn.
Cook’s Sunday Jets visit became known three days in advance, and a day after it surfaced, the veteran running back made multiple media appearances — on Good Morning Football and on the Dan Patrick Show — to discuss his upcoming Jets visit and to indicate around five teams were still interested in signing him. This process did not go over well with some in the Jets’ building, Brian Costello of the New York Post notes.
The Jets would have preferred this visit not leak three days out, per Costello, who posits the running back likely provided advance notice of the Big Apple trip to convince another team to increase its offer. If that is the case, the Dolphins would seemingly fit the profile of a team Cook is attempting to send a message to via the Jets. Cook is a Miami native who has received an offer from the Dolphins, and he has described a return to Miami as “a perfect fit.”
While the Jets are interested, the visit being leaked well in advance reminds of the Beckham situation. Beckham’s Jets meeting became known days early, and the injury-prone standout’s Aaron Rodgers friendship was discussed often before the scheduled meeting. But the Ravens came in with a $15MM guarantee before OBJ’s Jets visit came to pass. That kind of money will not be thrown around for Cook, but he is not yet a Jet. The four-time 1,100-yard rusher continues to be display patience.
As it stands, mixed messaging is coming out about the Jets-Cook fit. No deal came together during the talented back’s highly publicized visit — one soon set to be chronicled on Hard Knocks (presuming the Jets, who protested their present casting on the long-running HBO show, allow said footage to be aired). They are also believed to view Cook as important insurance as Breece Hall finishes his recovery from ACL surgery. Costello, however, does not get the sense the Jets are overly interested and predicts the Pro Bowl back will sign elsewhere.
While the five-team rundown of Cook suitors has not fully unveiled itself, the Patriots have been the other team consistently connected here. The Pats have brought Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson to Foxborough, but no signings have taken place. Pierre Strong resides as the most likely Rhamondre Stevenson backup. The team’s persistent inquiries into outside help do point to genuine interest in upgrading behind their starter.
The Jets and Pats fits would involve playing alongside (or clearly behind) an ascending rookie-contract back. Cook has long said he wants to land with a contender that houses a clear RB need. The Dolphins used a third-round pick on Devon Achane, but it might be difficult for the veterans they brought back — Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Myles Gaskin — to play ahead of Cook regularly. But the Dolphins have not moved much since being the initial Cook favorites.
He isn’t helping himself making a big public spectacle of this. Jets have every right to be upset.
I think it’s ridiculous to suggest the Jets have a right to be upset. How many times have they used the media to suggest they might have to shop a player if he doesn’t agree to a contract re-structure and improve his performance? It cuts both ways. If teams can use the media to their advantage the players should be allowed to as well.
When have the Jets used the media suggesting they would shop a player?
I believe they did that with both Jamal Adams and Denzel Mims. Other NFL teams play the same games to put pressure on players that wind up in the GMs or HCs doghouse.
Isn’t he most likely going to get suspended as well? Thought he needed to meet w/ Goodell to discuss hitting his girlfriend(?).
Funny how that snag is left out of every article. It might be the reason the Vikings let him walk and why other teams are staying away. You don’t offer somebody $1 million to stay silent if there is nothing there…
And that hush money doesn’t silence Goodell!
Cook using Jets as leverage is a pretty distasteful way. He’s trying to force Miami to cough up the cash
I love it. Cook is over playing his hand because of bad advice from his dumb agent. More players will become available from cut downs as time progresses. His market value will go down. Sure some veterans will be injured but he probably won’t get more than $6m yearly.
They should refuse to let Hard Knocks use the footage of him at their camp. Don’t let him use you like that, have some pride man!
Dalvin Cook, about to be 28, has every right to tell anybody that he is planning on visiting multiple teams.
Jets have Hall and most likely would use Cook as a rental. He wants a longer term contract.
Good job letting everybody know that you will be visiting other teams. Great business move.
Why does this site keep putting out these ‘Latest On….’ articles and keep providing absolutely nothing new on the situations and just rehash the same story they just did as recently as two days ago? If I see something that says ‘ Latest On….’ I expect an actual update on the situation.
I don’t understand why people keep posting stuff like this. The article clearly states what’s new-Cook is supposed to visit with the Jets, and New York didn’t like that he discussed that fact publically beforehand. This is a rumors site, not just a “x player signed with x team” and that was it. At least these stories are all football related, unlike Florio’s OPI Jared musings on Tom Brady playing golf with Colin Kaepernick’s personal therapist or whatever book he’s trying to sell.
Ak- To be fair, this article says 11 hours ago but this new information was posted here well over 11 hours ago (I read it mid-day yesterday, so closer to 20 hours ago). It t shouldn’t need to go to the top with no additional new information.
Cook: “About five clubs interested! I’m visiting the Jets! Look how valuable I am!!”
The NFL: “You’re a running back. You’re no longer valuable.”
Wait, isn’t this a guy who beat a women, was somehow involved with animal abuse, other assaults? Why the free pass in football but if he were a baseball or hockey player not one team would touch him?