Dalvin Cook could give New York Jets ‘ridiculous’ backfield – ESPN –

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:

1. Perfect match for Rodgers? No one on the Jets knows Dalvin Cook better than tight end Tyler Conklin, who spent four seasons with the running back on the Minnesota Vikings. While Conklin is fascinated by the prospect of a Cook-Breece Hall tandem in the backfield — “Oh, man, it would be ridiculous” — he also believes his former teammate would be the ideal complement to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“The big thing about Dalvin that makes me excited is just how much he loves football,” Conklin told ESPN. “He’s one of the biggest competitors I’ve ever played with and I think that’s huge because playing with Aaron, he competes the same way. The way they both compete is special and I think that would raise everybody’s game.”

Rodgers is a culture changer, and his intensity is permeating the entire offense. The man hates to waste a single rep, even in a walk-through. He wants to be surrounded by like-minded players, one of the reasons why the Jets are hosting Cook this weekend on a free-agent visit. They wouldn’t be this far down the road if Rodgers wasn’t on board.

Conklin has vivid memories of Cook’s best games — his amazing first half (153 rushing yards) against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2021), his 153- and 164-yard games against Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers (2019 and 2020) and a specific play against the Dallas Cowboys (2019) that showed his toughness.

Cook got drilled on a pass play over the middle, and he bounced up immediately with the ball in his hands. Obviously, it resonated with Conklin, who’s still…