Is Dalvin Cook the prize of an AFC East bidding war?
Former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook seems to be playing the AFC East teams off each other in his effort to find a new home.
Cook, released by the Vikings after six years in Minnesota, has been frequently linked to his hometown Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and the New York Jets.
The latest bit of speculation on Cook's future comes from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who says "The Jets are gaining momentum... as a potential destination for Cook."
The #Jets have been “gaining momentum” on the @DalvinCook front as we head towards training camp (PFT). pic.twitter.com/rdfh7FZ7Ro
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) July 6, 2023
"The Breece Hall angle is why they'd be interested in Cook. We don't know how healthy Breece Hall will be," Florio said Thursday. "We don't know if he'll be ready Week 1. They said all the right things but we don't know. What do they have behind Breece Hall with all the investment they're making in Aaron Rodgers? And if you can get Dalvin Cook for a reasonable contract and pair him with Rodgers, and that passing game, and that defense that is very good, that helps the Jets stand out in the AFC East, a very difficult division."
Later Thursday, Cook's agent posted on his Instagram story a blank screen with the location "Miami, Florida" listed along with eyeball emojis.
Dalvin Cook’s agency is in Miami. This is not a drill. pic.twitter.com/phSsswlZQ2
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) July 6, 2023
That could be his agent playing games as he does also represent new Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith, who Miami selected in the second round of April's draft.
"And if the Dolphins are the other destination for Dalvin Cook, there's a net benefit, beyond just getting Cook," Florio continued. "You're getting Cook, if you're the Jets, and you're keeping him from the Miami Dolphins."
Meanwhile, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that the Patriots are "intrigued to some extent on pairing a running back with Rhamondre Stevenson," and of course, Cook's name was brought up as a possibility.
