Dalvin Cook says Aaron Rodgers' presence helped lure him to Jets - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Running back Dalvin Cook didn't need to hear an aggressive sales pitch from Aaron Rodgers to sign with the New York Jets. It was unspoken.

«He doesn't have to recruit; his game recruits itself,» Cook said Thursday — his first full day as a member of the Jets. «Aaron is Aaron. If you don't want to be part of something like that, I don't know what you want in football.»

After six years of facing Rodgers in the NFC North, Cook decided to join him because he «couldn't be on the other side anymore.» Rodgers' Green Bay Packers won five of the last eight meetings against the Minnesota Vikings, who cut Cook in June after he had been selected to four straight Pro Bowls.

Other than Rodgers, Cook, 28, said he was attracted to the Jets because of a win-now roster and the chance to win a championship.

«Obviously, when you dig deep and look into the roster, all the pieces are put together,» he said.

The burning issue is how the Jets will divide the workload between Cook and Breece Hall, who participated in team drills Thursday for the first time since ACL surgery last October. Hall is expected to be ready for Week 1. So is Cook, even though he won't start practicing until next week.

Cook, who has more rushing attempts since 2019 (1,075) than every player except Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry, faces the prospect of being a complementary back once Hall is 100%. The Jets plan to lean on Cook early in the season, but that likely will change as Hall rounds into form. They also have Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight. Cook said the running-back room «can be something special.»

Asked about his specific role, he said, «Just be Dalvin Cook. Just be me. When my number is called, go be explosive.»

After signing a