The New York Jets continued their all-in pursuit of a Super Bowl this season by signing free agent RB Dalvin Cook. Cook has played his entire NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Cook has been a sensational, do-it-all RB for the Vikings. He was heavily connected to the Miami Dolphins but then altered course and visited with the New York Jets. Cook left New York without a deal, but apparently, the Jets saw enough to sign the former Vikings star to a one-year $8.6 million contract.
Following NFL news of this magnitude, you know social media had some thoughts.
Social Media Reacts to the New York Jets Signing Dalvin Cook
There are some NFL fans predicting that the New York Jets will win the Super Bowl.
THE JETS ARE WINNING THE SUPER BOWL🤯🤯
— Chris (@ChrisIsHidden) August 14, 2023
After watching the first episode of hardknocks I'm 100% certain the Jets are winning the Superbowl I can feel it lmao
— Marcy Marce (@marcyplace22) August 14, 2023
There are some fans referring to the Jets as a powerhouse and questioning whether teams can stop the Jets.
Updated #Jets offense:
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Breece Hall
RB: Dalvin Cook
RB: Michael Carter
WR: Garrett Wilson
WR: Corey Davis
WR: Allen Lazard
WR: Mecole Hardman
WR: Randall Cobb
TE: CJ Uzomah
TE: Tyler ConklinPowerhouse. pic.twitter.com/4kz2MVXzHJ
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 14, 2023
Respectfully, Who’s stopping Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/nc45EBEzUG
— NewEraNYJets (@NewEraNYJets) August 14, 2023
Still, the Jets had Super Bowl aspirations the moment they traded for future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers. Those expectations are heightened with the high-profile signing of Cook.
What Are the Jets Getting in Cook?
Is Cook the same player we remember from his prime years as a Viking? Even the most ardent Cook supporter must admit that he isn’t the player he once was.
The wear and tear of the NFL game takes its toll on the RB position more than any other in the game, and the shelf life of backs is a blink of an eye. Cook did great to lock down $8.6 million for 2023. Many thought he would have to settle for significantly less money.
Even if Cook isn’t the player he once was, it doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. Winding up in New York is an ideal location to pair with an ascending star at the position in second-year back Breece Hall.
Hall is working his way back from an ACL injury, and although there are positive signs to suggest he will be back by Week 1, the Jets are taking a cautious approach with Hall to avoid potential aggravation.
Even with the signing of Cook, the Jets’ running game requires some refinement as the offensive line remains a question mark. If the big fellas up front can’t keep the heat off of QB Aaron Rodgers and open up running lanes for the Hall/Cook tandem, none of these trades or signings will matter for much.
Since the Jets are on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” they were already under the NFL microscope heading into 2023.
The Cook signing amplifies the focus even more.