In 2021, the New England Patriots enjoyed the sixth-best scoring offense in the NFL, using the eighth-best rushing offense to fuel their attack as they reached the postseason. In 2022, the Pats slipped to the 17th-ranked offense, with their ground game slipping to 24th as they missed the playoffs.
Bill Belichick has since made changes to his offense, bringing in Bill O’Brien from Alabama to call plays and coordinate the offense. With O’Brien’s arrival, the Patriots are expected to get back to pounding the rock, with Rhamondre Stevenson playing a key role.
After Damien Harris left for the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, the Patriots suddenly had a bigger need for more capable backs on their depth chart. They signed former undrafted star James Robinson this offseason, but the former Jaguars and Jets tailback was recently released, possibly due to injury concerns.
Now, with Pierre Strong, Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris, and J.J. Taylor as the other running backs on the roster, there’s talk of coach Belichick adding another player to the stable.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots are a team to watch in the Dalvin Cook free agency sweepstakes. The four-time Pro Bowl back, who’s topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, has yet to find a taker since being let go by the Minnesota Vikings, yet, Fowler’s appearance on SportsCenter suggests the Pats could get in the mix.
“You’ve got the Dolphins; he’s been linked to them. Teams I’ve talked to believe he wants to play in Miami, potentially. The Jets have injuries at running back. The Patriots just cut James Robinson; they could have a need. So, could be some action there up east.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Dalvin Cook and the New England Patriots
As mentioned, the Patriots aren’t the only team who could benefit from adding the 27-year-old Miami native. Yet, if the market is truly coming down to the AFC East, we could see a bidding war emerge among the three rivals. Plus, there’s still James Cook, Dalvin’s brother, who plays for the fourth AFC East team and appears primed to take over the lead rushing role with the Buffalo Bills.
Cook was set to have a $10.4 million salary with the Vikings in 2023. That roughly translates to the current amount for the franchise tag salary for running backs, which Tony Pollard is set to play on this season. Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley also have received the franchise tag but have yet to sign and are seeking long-term extensions.
Seeing how the running back market shapes up ahead of training camp should be a fascinating storyline to follow this summer, and Cook is right in the center of discussion.
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