New Jets running back Dalvin Cook turned down a chance to play near his home and teamed up with former division rival Aaron Rodgers for a chance to win big in New York.
“Being on the other side the last six years, I couldn’t be on the other side anymore,” Cook said with a laugh of being a teammate of Rodgers after battling him in the NFC North.
Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings and Rodgers was traded to the Jets from the Green Bay Packers.
“When I came on my visit, I think I saw everything I needed to see. I think I can come help these guys,” Cook said Thursday after his first full practice with the team. “When you look at the running back room with M.C. (Michael Carter), Breece (Hall), Bam (Zonovan Knight) and all those guys, with me just adding to it, I think it could be something special.”
Rodgers said Wednesday the offensive line was “a work in progress,” noting the “beauty and struggle” is finding continuity up front.
“You’ve got to run the ball to win in this league. You need multiple guys to get it done,” Rodgers said. “He made it well known to me in the process he wanted to play with me, come to Jersey.”
Cook, 28, visited with the Jets last month and showed interest in the Miami Dolphins. He was linked to yet another AFC East team, the New England Patriots, who wound up signing free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Cook was slated to earn $11 million in 2023 with Minnesota, where he rushed for 5,024 yards and 43 touchdowns the past four seasons.
In 73 career games (72 starts) since the Vikings drafted him in the second round in 2017, Cook has 5,993 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, 221 receptions, 1,794 receiving yards and five TD catches.
He is coming off surgery on Feb. 14, the latest in a series of major shoulder issues that include a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.
–Field Level Media