Cook excited to join Jets: 'We can be something special'

The New York Jets have been one of the NFL's most active teams this year, and they didn't have to go out of their way to pursue four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to join them.

"When I came on my visit, I think I've pretty much seen everything I needed to see," Cook said Thursday during his first press conference with the team. "It was good vibes with the coaches, the players, everybody around the building.

"When you dig deep and look into the roster, I think all the pieces are put together. I think I can come help these guys. You look at the running back room with (Michael Carter), Breece (Hall), (Israel Abanikanda), all those guys, and me just adding to it, I think we can be something special."

After spending his first six NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cook agreed to join the Jets on Monday on a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $8.6 million. The 28-year-old specifically mentioned quarterback Aaron Rodgers - who arrived in a trade from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason - as one of the main reasons he signed with the AFC East club.

"I've been on the other side of that for the last six years. I couldn't be on the other side no more," Cook said in reference to his previous matchups against Rodgers as a member of the Vikings. "I got the chance to go join him, go help him win again. That was a big thing (for me) to come over here."

Cook played a full regular season for the first time in his career in 2022. He finished the campaign with 1,173 rushing yards - his fourth straight 1,000-yard year - to go along with eight touchdowns on the ground. The Florida State product also caught 39 passes for 295 yards and two TDs.

The 2017 second-round pick joins New York with 7,787 scrimmage yards and 52 total touchdowns in 73 career appearances.

The Jets enter the 2023 season surrounded by sky-high expectations after flashing a lot of potential in 2022. Rodgers and Cook, among other additions, will join a New York team that boasted an elite defense last year and rosters several promising young players, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The Jets kick off the regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. It'll be a special matchup for the Cook family, as Dalvin's brother, James, is one of Buffalo's top running backs.