Dalvin Cook Visits New York Jets; Patriots Next?

Potential New England Patriots free-agent target Dalvin Cook has scheduled a visit to the New York Jets.

Why did New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers take a pay cut that will see his cap hit be lower this season than his backup Zach Wilson? Well, the decision seems to be selfless from the former Green Bay Packer, as his ultra team-friendly deal has allowed the Jets to be in conversations with top free-agent running back Dalvin Cook. 

According to a report from NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, the former Minnesota Viking will visit New York over the weekend. The visit to the New England Patriots' rival will be the first he's taken since being released from the Vikings in early June. Yet it may not be his last, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted on Thursday morning that the Patriots are also in contact with the 27-year-old. 

While Dalvin Cook prepares for a visit with the #Jets this week, he’s also in talks with the #Patriots about setting up a possible visit to New England, per source. Both teams have shown steady interest in the four-time Pro Bowler.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 27, 2023

Fowler's tweet matches what Patriots' director of player personnel Matt Groh said on Wednesday, confirming that they were monitoring the running back's situation. 

"We talked to DeAndre Hopkins; that’s well known," Groh said in a meeting with the media this week at training camp. "We explore as many options as we can. Dalvin’s another player ... as with any unique situation, I think everybody evaluates and looks at [Dalvin].”

But why would the Patriots look at Cook while still having Rhamondre Stevenson on his rookie deal after a breakout season? 

“You can never have too many good players,” Groh said. “We worked out a couple running backs. We’ve worked out some different positions here. We’re going to continue to work out players just like every team in the league is doing. Exploring every possibility that we can to make this as strong a roster as possible.”

As for those workouts Groh eluded to, the Patriots hosted Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson in the days leading up to training camp. 

Ultimately though, both players left Foxboro without a contract offer. For fans who are wary of getting excited about another potential signing after the Hopkins fiasco, other than Las Vegas named the Patriots as favorites to sign Cook, it seems the Patriots are doing their due diligence.

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