At times, Dalvin Cook landing with the Miami Dolphins has felt like a foregone conclusion -- yet he remains unsigned and continues to get linked to other teams.
Boomer Esiason seems to believe that’s by design.
The star running back was cut by the Vikings, the only NFL team he’s played for, last month. Despite being one of the best backs in the game, Cook’s market hasn’t appeared too robust.
One team that has consistently been linked to Cook is the Dolphins, and the interest seems mutual. However, the Jets and Patriots have also been connected to him, though their interest has sounded more tepid. Theoretically, a return to Minnesota could be back on the table too.
But Esiason said Monday on Boomer & Gio that he thinks Cook’s sights are set squarely on Miami.
“So, Dalvin Cook has a $7 million a year contract (offer) from the Minnesota Vikings right now,” Esiason said. “I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but he hasn’t accepted it and I don’t really think he wants to go back there. I think that he really wants to play for the Dolphins, and I believe that [Zac Hiller] is trying to play the Dolphins off the Jets – just like they did with Tyreek Hill. …
“I do believe that the Jets would love to have Dalvin Cook, because I believe that they feel like he has years left, and really good years left. But they’re not going to get into a bidding war with the Miami Dolphins. …
“I think this is all about [Hiller] trying to drag the Jets into a situation where they at least have some leverage to get more money out of Miami – and I doubt the Jets are going to get dragged into it. I’m sure they would love to have him at a certain number, but they’re not going to get into a bidding war with the Miami Dolphins. And I don’t think the Miami Dolphins want to pay near $7 million that he has on the table from Minnesota.”
Adding Cook would be an impressive way of capping off what has already been a productive offseason for the Jets. But it’s got to make sense for all parties, and if the starting price is going to be $7 million, that might prove prohibitive.
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