Dalvin Cook Rumors: Jets 'Have More Interest Than Most Realize' amid Dolphins Links

The New York Jets reportedly have legitimate interest in free-agent running back Dalvin Cook despite the presence of Breece Hall on the roster.

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the Jets "have more interest than most realize" when it comes to Cook due to the fact that Hall is coming off a torn ACL and since they are in win-now mode after acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers.

Florio added that the Miami Dolphins are interested in Cook as well, and a third AFC East team in the New England Patriots are also in the mix due to head coach Bill Belichick's long-held preference of having a diverse backfield committee rather than one go-to running back.

Cook, who will be 28 when the 2023 season starts, rushed for at least 1,100 yards in each of the past four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and has been named a Pro Bowler in four consecutive campaigns as well.

He is just a few seasons removed from rushing for a career-high 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2020, and last season he rushed for 1,173 yards and found the end zone a total of 10 times.

Despite his high-level production, the Vikings released Cook in a cost-cutting move and are poised to hand the backfield reins over to Alexander Mattison.

Cook still seems to have plenty left in the tank, and any of the aforementioned teams would likely see their running back benefit from signing him.

Assuming Hall is not ready for the start of the 2023 season, Cook would be able to step in as the clear No. 1 running back at first. Then, once Hall returns, he can be worked in slowly until the backfield eventually becomes a split.

That would allow the Jets to keep opposing defenses on their toes, and it would perhaps open things up significantly for Rodgers and the passing game as well.

The Jets have not reached the playoffs since 2010, giving them the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.

There is no question that trading for Rodgers was meant to end the drought immediately, and signing Cook would be another all-in move that could make New York better in the short term.

Like the Jets, the Dolphins and Patriots are also chasing the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East, and a strong running game meant to keep Bills quarterback Josh Allen on the sidelines could be the recipe for success against Buffalo.

The Dolphins have a running back committee led by Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., but Cook would give them a running back capable of carrying the ball 25 or 30 times in a game, and taking pressure off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

New England already has a running back who is perhaps poised to become a star in Rhamondre Stevenson, but the Patriots aren't known for leaning on a single player in the backfield.

Cook seems to have a robust market on his hands, meaning he should land in an advantageous spot leading up to training camp.