State of the running back market

State Of The Running Back Market

JETS SIGN RB DALVIN COOK, ELLIOTT ENDS UP IN NEW ENGLAND, DOBBINS OFF PUP LIST AND TAYLOR BACK IN CAMP

   The New York Jets signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to a one-year deal on Monday, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

   The 28-year-old has been shopping for a new home after being released by the Minnesota Vikings in June and was coveted by all four teams in the AFC East. Cook will now suit up for the New York Jets alongside long-time NFC North rival Aaron Rodgers as the team sets its eyes on a Super Bowl push in 2023.

   Rodgers took a $35 million pay cut last month to give the Jets flexibility to add quality players to the roster. A move in which general manager Joe Douglas has taken in stride by adding the best running back available on the free agent market.

   Cook’s deal is reported to be a one-year, $8.6 million contract that would see the former Florida State running back hit free agency a year before he turns 30 years old. The one-year contract is the biggest deal signed by a free agent running back in 2023 and is expected to be the ceiling for all running backs still on the market.

   With the New York Jets adding both Aaron Rodgers and Dalvin Cook, each of whom have been Pro Bowlers four times since 2018, the Jets are now the first team in NFL history to add a quarterback and running back in the same offseason after both reached the Pro Bowl in 4 of the previous five years.

   Cook responded to the news of his signing with a green heart.

   The South Florida native is still a week away from being able to practice after undergoing shoulder surgery in February but is expected to be a full-go in Week 1. Dalvin will face up against his younger brother James Cook on Monday Night Football as the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills on September 11th.

   Cook will now pair up with second-year running back Breece Hall, who tore his ACL during the season last year but the Jets are optimistic he’s set for a return in Week 1 next month. The Jets running back room now includes Dalvin Cook, Breece Hall, Zonovan Knight, Michael Carter and the team’s fifth-round pick in the draft this year, Israel Abanikanda.

   The New England Patriots also got in on the running back action on Monday, as the team signed three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliot. The 28-year-old signed on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million after a successful visit earlier in training camp.

   As per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Elliott’s deal includes a $3 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus and up to $2 million in incentives. Elliott is set to complement starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson and offer some much needed backfield help. The Patriots have been seeking a running back who can bang it between the tackles and help in pass blocking, thus the acquisition of one of the best running backs in the league in recent years.

   Elliott will also return to his college jersey no. 15 from his days at Ohio State ditching the no. 21 he wore in Dallas. The 2016 fourth overall pick announced his signing on social media on Monday by writing on X, “One Five, all the way live! @Patriots”

   The two-time NFL leading rusher now adds to a crowded running back room in New England increasing the competition for a roster spot in 2023. In addition to Elliott and Stevenson, the Patriots running back room also includes veteran Ty Montgomery, JJ Taylor, CJ Marable, Pierre Strong Jr., and Kevin Harris.

   In other running back news, Baltimore Ravens running back JK Dobbins, who hasn’t practiced at all during training camp, was activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday. The fourth-year running back missed 14 training camp practices this summer and is now back on the training field as the Ravens prepare for their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders this weekend.

   Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been away from the team getting additional rehabilitation on his ankle was also back at the team’s facility on Monday. The 2021 leading rusher remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list for now and is still yet to take the field as the Colts wait on the status of his health. Taylor, however, is now officially back with the team.

-Maher Abucheri

Twitter: @pabloikonyero

Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.