New York Jets News & Rumors

AUGUST 10: Outkick’s Armando Salguero notes that Cook and the Jets remain at an impasse financially. The gap between the parties could be as much as $3MM per year, he adds, which would explain the lack of traction on a deal sending him to New York. If Cook holds firm on his asking price, it will be interesting to monitor how willing the Jets will be to match it as time goes by, and if other suitors are prepared to step in if they are not.

AUGUST 9: Throughout the more recent stages of his free agent process, the Jets have been the team most closely connected to Dalvin Cook. A deal sending the veteran back to New York is still possible, but no other veterans at the position are on the team’s radar at the moment.

[RELATED: Patriots Leaning Toward Elliott, Away From Cook]

Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline notes that the Jets still “want to sign” the four-time Pro Bowler. Teams around the AFC East – with the exception of the Bills – have been linked to Cook, who has understandably remained patient while weighing his options. His only visit to date has been with the Jets, though, and he deemed the odds of his high-profile summit producing a deal as being “pretty high.”

The degree to which Cook touted his sit-down with the Jets publicly did not sit well with the team, although interest from other potential suitors has been relatively lackluster. The Miami native is seen by the Dolphins as a luxury add, despite the fact he would likely have an easier path to a starter’s role with his hometown team than with the Patriots or Jets, provided Breece Hall is indeed available in time for Week 1.

Cook is believed to be seeking guaranteed money over two years, which could complicate a Jets deal aimed at making him a high-end insurance policy in case Hall is activated later than expected or struggles to return to his pre-ACL tear form. Notably, however, Pauline adds that New York is not particularly interested in adding a veteran (other than Cook) to its backfield given the options already in place.

Aside from Hall, the Jets also have Michael Carter and former UDFA Zonovan Knight on the RB depth chart. The latter has impressed in training camp, per Pauline, after totaling 400 scrimmage yards on 98 touches last season. Fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda has also drawn praise, meaning the Jets can afford to remain patient with respect to negotiations with Cook. Interest still exists for a deal to be worked out on this front, however, and with more than $16MM in cap space, the Jets have the spending power to make a signficant commitment if one is required.

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.