Cook's 'Super Team' Offers No Guarantees

Saleh says Jets not looking to 'build a dream team'

Dalvin Cook sees great potential for the New York Jets if they choose to sign the four-time Pro Bowl running back.

"Especially with the roster they [the Jets] got put together already, and with the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, so adding a guy like me, you know what I bring to the table. Like you said, it could probably be a super team if we put it together," said Cook, who will officially visit with the team on Sunday, during a CBS Sports appearance.

But buyers beware.

First, there has to be a good reason why the Minnesota Vikings decided to move on from what appeared to be a franchise player. Coming off a a fourth consecutive 1,100-yard rushing season, Cook was released on June 9 by the team that drafted him.

"He turns 28 this summer, saw his advanced metrics plummet in 2022, and plays a position that has been largely devalued by the analytics movement," said Inside The Vikings editor Will Ragatz.

Cook still managed a more-than respectable 1,468 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns last season, but his 4.4 yards per carry average was the lowest single-season mark of his career. The Vikings reportedly saved $14+ million in salary cap space with the move.

In addition to the conclusion that Cook's best days may be behind him, there's the idea that any level-headed observer should be weary of the term "super team."

Jets' head coach Robert Saleh certainly is.

"You’re not trying to build a team of names. You want to make sure that it fits," said Saleh after Thursday's open practice in Florham Park. "I feel like that’s what we’ve been able to do a really good job of. Not trying to build a dream team, but making sure that everything fits for a reason. There’s a purpose for what we’re doing."

What looks fabulous in theory doesn't always yield the expected results. Not to say that the Jets are destined to underachieve, but there's no such thing as coasting on reputation in the NFL.

As Sean Payton rudely reminded us this week, "Remember when [former Washington owner] Dan Snyder put that Dream Team together [in 2000]? I was at the Giants. I was a young coach. I thought, ‘How are we going to compete with them? Deion’s [Sanders] there now.’ That team won eight games or whatever. So, listen, just put the work in.”

Payton was quoted in a USA Today story by Jarrett Bell.

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READ Reason Breece Hall May Not Be Ready Week 1

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After the Washington failure, there was the "Dream Team Eagles" who missed the playoffs after a mediocre 8-8 showing in 2011.

For a more recent example, albeit a different sport, take a look at the 2023 New York Mets and the return they've gotten from a $300+ million payroll. Could the Jets adding Cook to the offense parallel the Mets' signing of Jose Quintana to the pitching staff?

To his credit, Saleh has said the right things when it comes to potentially adding Cook to the mix.

"A lot of film has been watched on Dalvin and if it fits, it’s because we know it’ll fit. It’s not just to make a move to win the offseason," said Saleh.

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