Source - RB Dalvin Cook to sign 1-year deal with Jets - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Free agent running back Dalvin Cook is planning to sign a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million with the New York Jets, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday night.

Cook was released on June 8 after four straight Pro Bowl seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

The move gives Aaron Rodgers another proven playmaker and comes after the veteran quarterback volunteered to take a $35 million pay cut, creating financial flexibility to sign big-ticket players such as Cook.

With No. 1 back Breece Hall returning from ACL surgery, the Jets wanted to bolster their backfield with an accomplished runner. They maintained steady interest in Cook, with coach Robert Saleh saying recently, «Obviously, you don't want to say no to a great player.»

Cook visited the Jets last months, spending almost a full day at their facility. The Jets have said they're optimistic about Hall's availability for Week 1, but he's still on the PUP list and time is running out. Saleh professed his faith in backups Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter, but they both averaged 3.5 yards per rush last season, ranking 58th and 59th among 59 players with at least 80 attempts, respectively.

They also have rookie Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from Pitt.

Cook is another high-profile asset for the Jets, who revamped their traditionally moribund offense by trading for Rodgers, signing wide receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman and changing coordinators.

In Cook they get one of the most prolific runners in the league. Since 2019, he has averaged 111 scrimmage yards per game, second to the Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry (126). Cook has a one-cut style that should fit nicely in the Jets' outside zone running scheme. The Jets, who haven't had