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

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, who turned 28 last week, was released 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. The veteran running back visited the Jets last month, spending almost a full day at their facility.

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.”

The Jets have said they’re optimistic about Hall’s availability for Week 1 against the Bills on Sept. 11, 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 only 3.5 yards per rush last season, ranking 58th and 59th among 59 players with at least 80 attempts, respectively. The Jets also have rookie Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick out of Pitt.

Cook is still at least a week away from being able to practice as he recovers from shoulder surgery he underwent in February, a source told Schefter. His arrival to New York also will be delayed as he’s expecting to become a first-time father soon.

Cook is…