Former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is seeking a new team for the upcoming season and is interested in reuniting with Mike Zimmer, who has returned to the NFL as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
According to The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlkin, Cook and Ezekiel Elliott are considering joining the Cowboys. “Several sources familiar with the players’ thoughts told the veterans are potentially interested in joining Dallas,” Gehklin wrote, adding that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones did not confirm or deny a shared interest in Cook.
Mike McCarthy The News stated that Dallas plans to add to their running back group after
Head coach Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans in the offseason. “We definitely want to add to the running back group,” coach Mike McCarthy said, according to The Dallas Morning News. “We’re not finished with that group yet, whether it’s a veteran or a draft pick.” Vikings Made the Right Call on Dalvin Cook
Ex-Jets RB Dalvin Cook breaks tackle against Texans.
After leaving the Vikings last offseason, Cook joined the
GettyNew York Jets
, signing a one-year contract ahead of the 2023 season. The Jets’ struggles without Aaron Rodgersalso affected Cook, who averaged a personal-low 3.2 yards per carry in New York and was frustrated with his workload. discussion of requesting a trade ahead of the league deadline in November, but no move was made. Cook and the Jets agreed to a
There was mutual agreement for his release with a game left in the season in January. His time with the Jets concluded with 67 carries for 213 yards in 15 games. Cook’s hopes of joining a playoff contender were fulfilled after he signed with the Baltimore Ravens
. He had eight carries for 23 yards in the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, including a 19-yard gain on his first carry. The Vikings made the difficult decision to part ways with Cook at the right time, as his effectiveness declined in 2023.Cook, 29, is still a dynamic threat, but he has struggled to avoid negative plays in recent seasons.
Justin Jefferson Stunned Vikings Landed Ex-Packers RB Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones signed with the Vikings on March 12, 2024.
The NFL’s assessment of the running back position has reached a crucial point as many of the league’s top playmakers at the position have refused to accept pay reductions in an ever-changing passing league.
Gettywas subjected to this when the
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones approached him for a second time in two years to take a pay cut (he took a $5 million pay cut to stay with the team in 2023). According to The Athletic, the Packers approached Jones asking to take at least a 50 percent pay reduction — which he declined. That led to Jones’ release and ultimately the Vikings’ fortune, signing Jones to aone-year, $7 million deal
Head coach “I do think it’s gone a little too far because they are still a really really impactful position. I mean, when you talk to Justin Jefferson, and you tell him, ‘We brought Aaron Jones aboard,’ his first reaction is he’s shocked because he didn’t think it would even be possible for us to bring a guy like that who we play two times a year and have flat out felt his impact on a lot of football games,” O’Connell stated this at the NFL owners’ meetings on March 26.
It has reached a point where it may have gone too far, and I am aware that we benefited from the chance to add a player like Aaron.” Jones is expected to bring a new dimension to the Vikings running game. He is skilled at protecting the passer, excels in a zone running system, and is elusive when receiving the ball in open space. He was evaluated as the
ninth-highest rated back
according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) last season and ranked seventh in rushing grade. “Jones achieved an 85.7 PFF rushing grade in 2023, placing seventh among running backs. His 3.4 yards after contact per carry was on par with [Breece] Hall for fourth in the league, and he matched Raheem Mostert for seventh in the league with an average of 4.8 yards per carry,” PFF’s Gordon McGuiness wrote. Former Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook is keen on joining the Dallas Cowboys and reuniting with Mike Zimmer.
“Jones earned an 85.7 PFF rushing grade in 2023, ranking seventh among running backs. His 3.4 yards after contact per carry mark tied with [Breece] Hall for fourth in the league, and he equaled Raheem Mostert for seventh in the league with an average of 4.8 yards per carry,” PFF’s Gordon McGuiness wrote.
