Former Vikings TE Says There Is “Plenty of Room” for Dalvin Cook with the New York Jets
A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings made the difficult choice to cut four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, freeing up cap space both in 2023 and in the future. For now, the running back remains unemployed, but a former Vikings TE, Tyler Conklin, seems to be making a pitch for the two to reunite with the New York Jets.
Conklin, a fifth-round pick by the Vikings back in 2018, spent his first four years in Minnesota, largely as a reserve. However, he was thrust into the starting role during the 2021 season after Irv Smith Jr. tore his meniscus, prematurely ending his campaign. In that 2021 season, Conklin put together a very strong campaign, catching 61 passes for 593 yards and 3 TDs.
He then entered free agency and was able to secure a three-year contract with the Jets worth a total of $20.25 million, and in his first season with his new team, he put together another great year with 58 receptions, 552 yards, and 3 TDs.
On Monday, Conklin joined the Good Morning Football desk, discussing his team and whether or not he thinks New York would be able to fit his former Vikings teammate, Cook, on their roster.
“There’s plenty of room. We’ve got room for whoever wants to come help us win a Super Bowl,” Conklin said. “Me and Dalvin were basically locker mates my first couple years (in Minnesota), and he was an awesome guy. I reached out to him because I was just curious, like ‘are the rumors true? Is this actually possible?’ That’d be a special backfield with Breece [Hall] and Dalvin and the rookie [Israel Abanikanda] and whatnot, Mike Carter. I don’t know. That’s a lot of running backs, but I think that’d be special, especially in this outside zone scheme.”
It would certainly be a lot of running backs for one team, especially considering Hall averaged just over 14 touches per game before going down with a torn ACL that ended the standout rookie’s season. On top of that, the Jets added Abanikanda in the fifth round of this spring’s draft, and Carter has garnered over 110 carries in each of his first two seasons.
However, if the Jets are at all concerned about Hall’s status at the beginning of the year (though it seems like things are off to a good start this summer), bringing in a veteran like Cook to help take some weight off the young backfield could be appealing.
As for Cook, if he wants to go to a team that is poised to compete for a Super Bowl, he couldn’t do much better than the Jets. They traded to acquire Aaron Rodgers at QB this offseason, and with a defense that looks ready to be a top 10 group once again in 2023, it’s going to be very difficult to beat this team.
There is also the potential of Cook going to a division rival of the Jets. There are connections to the Miami Dolphins due to that being his home area where he grew up while Buffalo could be an option as it would reunite him with his younger brother, James.
All in all, no decision appears imminent for the running back’s future team, but it does seem like the Jets are one to keep an eye on as Cook weighs his options.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.