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Former Dalvin Cook Teammate Envisions 'Special Backfield' with Jets
Tyler Conklin wants Dalvin Cook to know that there’s a locker available in Florham Park.
The New York Jets’ top pass-catching tight end made a modest recruiting pitch to the free agent running back during an appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.
Entering his second season with the Jets following four years with the Minnesota Vikings, Conklin spoke about the idea of reuniting with his former teammate.
“There’s plenty of room [for Cook],” said Conklin, who was Gang Green’s second-leading receiver in 2022. “We got room for whoever wants to come help us win a Super Bowl.”
Conklin, a fifth-round draft pick in 2018, was “locker mates” with Cook during his time in Minnesota. After gaining a career-high 593 yards receiving during the final year of his rookie deal, the 6-foot-3 Conklin cashed in on free agency with the Jets. He signed three-year, $20.3 million contract in March 2022.
Despite Cook rushing for more than 1,100 yards each of the past four seasons, the Vikings released their 2017 second-round selection this offseason.
"The Vikings released Cook for a number of reasons, most notably his $14.1 million cap hit this season," said Will Ragatz, Inside The Vikings editor. "He also turns 28 this summer, saw his advanced metrics plummet in 2022, and plays a position that has been largely devalued by the analytics movement."
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With Cook now free to sign with any team, Conklin would like to see his former teammate make the switch from purple to green.
"That would be a special backfield with Breece [Hall] and Dalvin and the rookie [Israel Abanikanda] and what not, Mike Carter," said Conklin envisioning what the Jets' running backs room would look like with the addition of a four-time Pro Bowler. "There’s a lot of running backs, but I think it would be special, especially in this outside zone scheme."
The 5-foot-10 Cook has totaled 7,787 scrimmage yards and 52 touchdowns over 73 regular season games.
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