After weeks of speculation, star running back Dalvin Cook will be joining the New York Jets, putting even more of a spotlight on the team that traded for Aaron Rodgers during the offseason.
There were a few teams that were interested in Cook, including the Miami Dolphins, another AFC East team that feels it has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
In the end, Miami decided to end their pursuit of Cook, and Cameron Wolfe says it’s because not only did they feel content with their existing running backs, but also because they offered less money than New York did.
Dolphins said they were happy with their running back room (Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, De’Von Achane). Their talks with Dalvin Cook didn’t get close $$ to what he got with Jets.
MIA now plays vs. Cook twice this year. Will be interested to track MIA/NYJ run games at EOS.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 14, 2023
Cook will head to the Tri-state area on a one-year contract that is reportedly worth up to $8.6 million.
Free-agent RB Dalvin Cook is planning to sign a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million with the New York Jets, per source. pic.twitter.com/SU95TqaQL4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2023
It may seem like peanuts for a man who has run for at least 1,100 yards and made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons, but that’s how badly the running back market has crashed.
The move has made the Dolphins’ chances of winning their first world championship since the 1973 season drop considerably.
They will have to make do with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and rookie De’Von Achane in the backfield, and none of them are exactly imposing or prolific figures.
Mostert was their leading rusher in 2022 with 891 yards, and Wilson was a distant second with 392 yards in eight games after arriving in a midseason trade.
Miami will have to do most of their damage in the air behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the explosive wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
