Dalvin Cook out to prove he’s still ‘electric’ after disappointing 2023 season
The 2023 season didn’t go according to plan for Dalvin Cook.
The four-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets last offseason for the chance to join forces with Aaron Rodgers in pursuit of a Super Bowl.
But when Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1, it also changed the trajectory of Cook’s year as well.
Despite his underwhelming run with the Jets and, later, the Baltimore Ravens, Cook disclosed on NFL Network’s “The Insiders” that unlike last year he wants to participate in training camp with whatever team he signs with, and he’s also out to prove his doubters wrong.
“I’m going to prove my legs [are] still here,” Cook said. “The washed [up] talk is going to come when you don’t produce … and that kind of conversation comes up. For me, I just want to go show people I can make a backfield electric. I can go change the scoreboard still. I can help a team win; I can contribute to a championship team, and that’s what I’m ready to go do. [Whoever signs me] is getting a guy who’s ready and hungry.”
Cook didn’t divulge which teams, or how many, he’s been in contact with, but he said he’s leaving it up to his agent to find him a new home.
Teams that could potentially be in the RB market include the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots and New York Giants.
If there’s one thing Cook has going for him it’s that he has less wear and tear on his body than other running backs his age. He only had 207 combined carries his first two years in the NFL, and despite averaging 268 carries over his next four years, 2023 was essentially a redshirt year for the former second-round pick.
Cook logged 13 carries in New York’s Week 1 win over the Buffalo Bills but mustered just 54 total carries in his next 13 games before being released by the Jets after Week 17.
He never reached double-digit carries the rest of the season thanks to Breece Hall’s emergence and the Jets throwing the ball more than 60% of the time due to consistently playing from behind.
The 28-year-old running back had a one-game stint with the Ravens in January, logging eight carries for 23 yards, but the team didn’t bring him back and he hit free agency in March.
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