In what was considered a rough patch for Dalvin Cook last year with the Jets, the talented running back had career lows, rushing for a mere 214 yards with no touchdowns on 67 carries, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. However, Cook, who had previously enjoyed four straight 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowl selections with the Vikings, deems this setback as nothing more than an aberration. He confidently anticipates returning to top form and showcasing his true potential with the Cowboys in the upcoming season.
“I got it,” Cook affirmed, as reported by Todd Archer of ESPN. “It’s right here.”
In his heyday with the Vikings from 2019 to 2022, the 29-year-old Cook was a force to be reckoned with, boasting impressive stats such as an average of 4.7 yards per carry, 86.6 yards per game, and a total of 46 touchdowns. Following shoulder surgery in the 2023 offseason, Cook signed with the Jets as a backup to Breece Hall, eager to play alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, Cook’s stint with the Jets took a drastic turn for the worse when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on the fourth play of the season opener.
Reflecting on his time with the Jets, Cook noted, “There wasn’t any emergency plan… Aaron went down on play four, and it was just kind of like, ‘What [do] we do?’ That’s just what it was.”
Subsequently released by the Jets on Jan. 2, Cook quickly found a new home with the Ravens. Despite being willing and prepared to contribute in any capacity, he was underutilized, running for just 23 yards on eight carries in a divisional round game against the Texans.
“When I got to Baltimore, I was ready to go. I was ready to get the ball however many times they needed me to,” Cook expressed. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get it that much.”
Now, Cook finds himself amongst the running backs of the Cowboys, joining a group that includes Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and fullback Hunter Luepke. The team is gearing up for a running back by committee approach, indicating that Cook’s days as a workhorse back may be behind him. Nevertheless, Cook is content with his current situation and remains proud of his past accomplishments.
As Cook embarks on a new chapter with the Cowboys, the football world eagerly awaits to see whether he can recapture his former glory and make a significant impact on the field once again.
