The New York Jets and running back Dalvin Cook agreed to part ways. Cook signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Jets this offseason to bolster their backfield options.
The former Florida State standout finished his Jets tenure with 67 carries for 214 rushing yards and 15 receptions for 78 receiving yards. Those numbers amount to $81,426 per touch based on his contract. Conversely, Breece Hall has 816 rushing and 579 receiving yards through Week 17.
The veteran running back was seen as a vital weapon in an offense led by Aaron Rodgers coming into the 2023 NFL season. Instead, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury four snaps into his season. The Jets offense often crumbled when Zach Wilson or Trevor Siemian took over, leading to a 6-10 record with one game left.
Weeks ago, Cook said no when ESPN’s Rich Cimini asked if he wanted to be released. Instead, he wanted to finish the season with the Jets, even if their playoff drought stretched to 13 seasons.
Story: A few weeks ago, I asked Cook -- frustrated with his role -- if he wanted to be released. No, he said. He said he'd ride out the season. Things changed. With one game left, he can look for greener pastures. #Jets https://t.co/TTB2hme4qV
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 2, 2024
Last season, Dalvin Cook had 264 carries for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings. He also added 39 receptions for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Since that happened not long ago, teams entering the playoffs could sign a Pro Bowl running back who hasn’t seen much playing time this season.
The Vikings selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Two seasons later, he had the first of four 1,000-yard seasons. He had a career-best 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns on 312 carries in 2020.
Coming into the 2023 NFL season, Cook had three years left in the five-year, $63 million contract he signed with the Vikings. However, the team released him as a post-June 1 designation, allowing Minnesota to split his $8.2 million dead cap over two seasons.
Meanwhile, his now-dead contract with the Jets included $5.8 million in guaranteed money, comprised of his $1.08 million base salary and $5.92 million in roster bonuses. Cook could have earned an additional $1.6 million upon reaching 1,250 rushing yards, 1,500 yards from scrimmage, and $205,000 per playoff victory.
-Lance Fernandez