Jets bringing former Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook in for visit

The Jets are on the verge of bringing another big name to Florham Park.

According to sources, former Vikings and current free agent running back Dalvin Cook is scheduled to fly to the New York area on Thursday for a visit with the Jets this weekend.

Cook has been a free agent since June 9 as the Vikings released him after six seasons with the team. Since his release, the Dolphins and the Jets have been rumored to be interested in the former four-team Pro Bowl running back.

“With Dalvin, obviously, you never want to say no to a great player, I’ll leave Joe [Douglas] to that one, but I know there’s a lot of contractual stuff that goes with it, but he is a good one,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said last week.

The move would make sense for the Jets in several aspects. Gang Green is in win-now mode with the addition of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Also, the Jets could use some help at the running back position with second-year player Breece Hall returning from an ACL injury.

The Pinstripe Express

Weekly

The Daily News sports editors handpick the week’s best Yankees stories from our award-winning columnists and beat writers. Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.

Hall tore his ACL last October in a win against the Broncos and missed the rest of the 2022 season. Following the rookie’s injury, the Jets’ ground game was anemic as they averaged a little more than 70 yards per game in the remaining 10 games of the season as Gang Green also lost six straight to end the year.

[ Jets offensive line still trying to find footing a week into training camp ]

During training camp, Hall has been limited as he was placed on the PUP [Physically Unable to Perform] list. Given the nature of his injury, the Jets want to be cautious and not rush Hall back before he is ready to return to the field.

When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Saleh said. “The one thing with these ACLs, you don’t want to go too quick, but at the same time, you don’t want to go too slow, so there’s a balancing act. Trust our trainers, trust our doctors, and as of now, knock on wood, things are going really well.

Having a running back as talented as Cook would be a game-changer for the Jets. Instead of teams loading up to stop Rodgers and the Jets aerial attack, defenses would have to be aware of Cook’s game-breaking speed out of the backfield.

Last season, Cook rushed for 1,173 yards, his fourth straight over 1,000 yards, and eight touchdowns. He was also a factor in the Vikings’ passing game, as he caught 39 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.

[ Jets RB Michael Carter says he feels ‘Amazing heading into this season’ ]

Despite his stats, the Vikings released Cook after he was scheduled to count more than $14.1 million against their salary cap, which would have been the third-highest figure for a running back in the NFL behind Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb. Releasing Cook saved Minnesota $9 million this year.

The Jets have the money to afford Cook as they have close to $16 million in space. Cook’s visit comes on the heels of Rodgers taking a $35 million pay cut off his contract as he agreed to a two-year, $75 million guaranteed deal on Wednesday. The contract has Rodgers’ cap number at a little over $9 million.