The New York Jets faithful are doing their part to recruit free agent running back Dalvin Cook to the franchise.
The New York Jets' front office has been busy at work all summer preparing to make the leap to contention in the AFC. It started, of course, with the trade for soon-to-be Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Since then, New York has added a wide array of vets to round out the roster, many of them eager to team up with the legendary QB.
Another veteran could soon join the onslaught of new arrivals. With training camp underway, the Jets played host to free agent running back Dalvin Cook at the team's Green & White scrimmage on Sunday. The biggest name left unsigned, Cook would add serious talent and pedigree to the Jets' backfield.
The fans were out in full force at the Jets' practice facility in Florham Park, NJ, and the consensus opinion of the Jets fandom is crystal clear: we want Dalvin Cook.
New York Jets fans shower Dalvin Cook with chants on free agent visit
A pretty clear and unambiguous message to the front office, I'd say.
The Jets are the definite frontrunner for Cook, who has openly talked about the potential of combining his talent with the Jets' core. Aaron Rodgers has also been hot on the recruiting trail. Cook still has the juice, having run for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings' lead back last season.
Even with the perceived value of NFL running backs at an all-time low, the fact that Cook has lasted this long into free agency is a mild shock. He has appeared in four straight Pro Bowls and he still possesses an explosive first step. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry last season and the Jets would no doubt benefit from Cook's unique blend of blunt-force power and open-field stealth.
There's only one conceivable hangup in the Cook-to-New York conversation. The Jets are expected to welcome back and prioritize 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall, who exploded onto the scene with 463 yards and four touchdowns in seven rookie-season games before suffering a torn ACL.
Hall looked like one of the best backs in the NFL last season and he averaged a staggering 5.8 yards per carry. He was flexible within the offense, offering plenty of utility as a pass-catcher, and there wasn't a single running back who could catch the 22-year-old at a full sprint.
The era of the feature back is virtually dead, but Hall very much operated as a three-down workhorse once the Jets recognized his talent. It was a preciously brief stint, but the Jets could view Cook as a roadblock to Hall's development rather than an upgrade in the backfield.
Would Cook be willing to come off the bench and operate in a timeshare with Hall? That's the other side of the coin. The Jets very much feel like potential title contenders and Cook absolutely adds a new dynamic to the offense, but self-importance has killed many potential free agent deals in the past. If Cook views himself as the undisputed No. 1 back, the Jets could be hesitant to commit.
Ultimately, it's probably wise for Cook to embrace a timeshare as he enters the next phase of his career. It's more sustainable than his usual three-down workload and it's probably a good set-up for Hall too, especially coming off a knee injury. If all sides are in agreement over the role, there's not much standing in the way of Cook and the Jets uniting — with the pesky Patriots being the only other firm contender for his services at the moment.