If one rumor is true, Dalvin Cook’s visit to the New York Jets may not have been as positive as previously reported
The New York Jets are no strangers to players using the team as leverage in contract negotiations. In fact, only a few years ago, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins turned down a three-year, $90 million offer from the Jets to use as leverage in order to obtain a monstrous contract from Minnesota in 2018. Now, Dalvin Cook could be the latest player to use the Jets as a bargaining chip for a larger contract.
Over the weekend, Cook visited the Jets’ practice facility in a meeting with the team. The soon-to-be 28-year-old running back spent time at the team’s training camp, talking to players and coaches while familiarizing himself with the environment. While head coach Robert Saleh said the visit went well, Cook left One Jets Drive without a contract.
As it turns out, the feeling may not be mutual for the former Vikings running back.
In a now-deleted tweet, Cook’s trainer Nick Hicks insinuated that the running back didn’t have too many nice things to say about the Jets after his visit. Hicks’ tweet read, “If Jets knew what DC [Dalvin Cook] said today in training they’d be [heartbroken]”.
Here’s a deleted tweet from Dalvin Cook’s trainer this morning @PER4ORM – just as the media wanted to guarantee his signing with New York, Miami again seems like where Cook will end up. pic.twitter.com/LQ4TnziI0V
— Athletic Agency Analysis (@agencyanalysis) August 1, 2023
Hicks, Cook’s trainer, has since back-tracked on the now-deleted tweet – claiming that it was nothing more than a joke. Regardless, it’s an unprofessional look for a trainer whose client is currently looking for work.
Cook has been connected to the Jets, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots since his release from the Vikings, although the Jets are the only team to have him in for a visit so far. Originally, he was heavily favored to sign with Miami before the Jets stormed their way to being betting favorites in landing the four-time Pro Bowl running back.
With the possibility of Jets running back Breece Hall not being one hundred percent to start the season, Gang Green could seek to add a veteran presence for security rather than relying on their current stable of backs. Whether or not Cook still has the ability to be an effective option in that role remains to be seen.
As for now, he – and his trainer – are doing themselves no favors earning the goodwill of Jets fans going forward.
