Before the last game of the regular season, the New York Jets released running back Dalvin Cook from the NFL. The move happened by mutual agreement and gives Cook the chance to move to a playoff team.
As “ESPN” reports, both sides agreed on the separation, and Cook is said to have even adjusted his contract in order to waive any remaining guarantees. Therefore, the Jets released him so that after 24 hours on the waiver wire he can either be claimed by another team or become a free agent. In any case, this move allows Cook to sign for another team this season. If he had been released next week, he would not have gone through the waiver wire before the end of the Super Bowl and would have become a free agent only then.
Cook had hardly played in the past few weeks and was not used at all in the game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, even though he was on the active game day squad.
Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings before the season and eventually joined the Jets because he said he wanted to play with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cook signed a one-year, $7 million contract with $5.8 million guaranteed. The highest amount a running back received for one year last offseason.
Jets: Rodgers injury changes everything
However, after Rodgers’ injury, the Jets’ plans changed, with 2022 rookie Breece Hall quickly returning to top form after tearing his ACL in the preseason and leading the team in touches, carries and rushing yards. For Cook, the only role left was that of a highly paid reservist.
Cook was a second-round pick of the Vikings in 2017 and completed a full season without missing a game in 2022 for the first time in his NFL career. Still, his best year was 2020, when he racked up 1,918 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns in just 14 games. Cook has been elected to the Pro Bowl four times so far.
For the Jets, however, he totaled 292 scrimmage yards in 15 games and went without a touchdown.