Something Cook-ing for Jets at Running Back?

Will Gang Green add four-time Pro Bowler to offense?

© Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets are reportedly pursuing more offensive firepower for Aaron Rodgers's first season at the controls.

The rumors about a possible marriage between Gang Green and free-agent running back Dalvin Cook are swirling due to comments made by NBC Sports' Mike Florio on July 6.

"The Jets are a team that I was aware of as a potential destination for Cook weeks before he was actually cut," said Florio , who suggested Breece Hall's injury recovery is a reason for the Jets' interest.

Even if Hall returns in time for the season opener, it's unlikely that the Jets will ask the second-year running back to shoulder a heavy workload early on.

Head coach Robert Saleh has already said that Hall won't be a full-go during Training Camp. 

"I’m excited for him to get back on the field," said Saleh during OTAs. "I feel like he won’t need to be limited during training camp, even though we still will, just to be conscientious and cautious with him, but he looks awesome."

With the intention of easing Hall back into the flow, Gang Green's rumored pursuit of high-profile free agent may appear to make sense on the surface.

When asked about the possibility of adding Cook during OTAs, Saleh did not dismiss the idea.

"We’ll turn the stones over on that one, but again, that would probably be more of a Joe [Douglas] question. I’m not sure how the money works on that."

The third-year head coach sang a much different tune when asked about the team's interest in former Dallas Cowboys' starter Ezekiel Elliott at the NFL League Meetings in late March.

"We love our running backs. I’ll leave it at that," said Saleh.

Saleh's comments came one month before the Jets used a fifth-round draft pick on reigning Atlantic Coast Conference rushing champion Israel Abanikanda.

Gang Green currently has Abanikanda, former fourth-rounder Michael Carter and second-year pro Bam Knight in its Hall-led running backs' room. Undrafted rookie Travis Dye is also on the 90-man roster.

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With viable options on the depth chart, the Jets' need for Cook is not dire and, at Cook's reported $7+ million asking price, it doesn't make financial sense.

The Jets, however, are in "win-now" mode, and addition of the soon-to-be 28-year-old Cook, who ran for 1,100+ yards each of the past four seasons, certainly seems appetizing.

The Cook-to-Jets buzz picked up in late June when Gang Green tight end Tyler Conklin, a former teammate of the free-agent running back with the Minnesota Vikings, lobbed a recruiting pitch during a guest appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football.

"There’s plenty of room [for Cook]. We got room for whoever wants to come help us win a Super Bowl," said Conklin. "There’s a lot of running backs, but I think it would be special, especially in this outside zone scheme."

Former Dalvin Cook Teammate Envisions 'Special Backfield' with Jetshttps://t.co/VF2qmaopgi

— Jets Pigskin (@JetsPigskin) June 28, 2023

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