Did Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook Just Send Broncos a Message?

Do the Denver Broncos meet Dalvin Cook's requirements?

When a big-name edge rusher like Frank Clark opts to sign with the Denver Broncos, it could be an indicator that their losing narrative is changing. The arrival of head coach Sean Payton seems to have propelled the Broncos back into some kind of legitimacy once again.

In fairness, none of the signings Payton has made up to this point could be deemed as luxury purchases. The focus has been on identifying areas of need and going hard after them, but Payton has recently stressed that the "hay is never in the barn." 

Perhaps that keeps the door open to another high-profile signing. How interested the Broncos really are in acquiring Pro Bowl free-agent running back Dalvin Cook remains a mystery, but the man himself made it clear he intends to sign with a Super Bowl contender.

“My production on the field is all I can control,” Cook told the Adam Schefter Podcast. “My agent, he does the best job in the world to get me in the best [position] I can be in. That’s his job. My job is to produce and be me. That’s all I can do right now. I’m sitting in the position right now where I’m so comfortable to make a decision. I just want to go contend for a Super Bowl right now.”

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Cook is still only 27 years old, despite it feeling like he's been carrying the rock in the pro ranks for significantly longer. He's got plenty of tread left on his tires. 

While the former Pro Bowler is comfortable enough to let his agent iron out the financial side of things, wherever he ends up, he still wants to be a three-down back. Above all the other requirements, however, finding the right fit will be driven by his quest to win a Super Bowl ring.

“I’m looking for that value of Dalvin Cook,” Cook said. “If I walk into a situation, it’s going to be a situation where I can help somebody go take that next step of trying to go get that Lombardi Trophy. That’s all I’ve got my mind on. The money part is going to come."”

Cook's desire to remain on the field might provide an obstacle for Broncos GM George Paton if he wants to open serious talks with the back's representatives. Broncos second-year back Javonte Williams is being handled cautiously during his injury rehab, but the coaching staff won't want to put the brakes on his vast potential once he's a full go, nor that of free-agent acquisition Samaje Perine.

Cook would presumably have to accept a touch-share scenario if he was to decide to form part of a star-studded new backfield in Denver. As well as juggling the complicated finances, it's clearly no gimme that Cook would place the Broncos in a championship window, especially when nobody in the Mile High City is making any such bullish declarations.

No matter where Cook finally decides to lay his hat, at least Payton's Broncos are back in the conversation again.

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