The Cowboys are signing former Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook just before the start of the NFL season. Cook met with the Cowboys over the last few days and the two sides were able to agree on a deal.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero was one of the first to break the news on social media.
Four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook is signing with the #Cowboys, per his agency LAA.
Cook was waiting for the right opportunity and always felt it was Dallas. A marquee addition in Big D. pic.twitter.com/wzGfMJ4hwJ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 28, 2024
Cook spent last season with the New York Jets but didn’t have as productive of a year as he would have liked. He played primarily as the backup for New York and wasn’t able to show what he could do.
He signed with the Baltimore Ravens at the end of last season, playing in the postseason with Baltimore.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Dalvin Cook #33 of the New York Jets avoids a tackle from Jonathan Greenard #52 of the Houston Texans during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Cook is signing with the Cowboys.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
With the Jets, Cook only received 67 carries throughout the year. He posted 214 yards and zero touchdowns over 15 games that he played in.
Before last season, Cook was one of the better running backs in the NFL. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and was one of the integral parts of their entire offensive attack.
While in Minnesota, Cook rushed for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons between 2019-22. The former Florida State product made four Pro Bowl trips, including in his career-high year of 2020.
Cook rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns, cementing him as one of the lead running backs in the league. However, over the last few seasons, injuries have taken their toll on his career.
He played through a dislocated shoulder for much of the 2022 season but still put up 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. Minnesota asked him to take a pay cut due to high roster costs and when Cook refused, he was let go.
Cook now lands in Dallas and will play off running back Ezekiel Elliott throughout the season.
Former running back Tony Pollard left for the Tennesee Titans this offseason, so Dallas brought in Elliott for the starting role. Cook brings a different approach to his game, and the two will look to complement each other on the field.
The addition of Cook was in part to help Elliott was his workload through the long season. The Cowboys are very familiar with how much Elliott has run the ball over his career and they want to keep him fresh for when it matters the most.
“He’s run the football a lot in his career, so we’re very conscientious of that for how much work he gets,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “But also, we’ve got to make sure he gets enough to make sure he feels like he’s ready.”
The Cowboys have a veteran duo in the backfield now and they believe it should benefit them this season. Cook will look to show that he can still perform at a high level and help Dallas get over the hump in the postseason.
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