The proposed talks between the New England Patriots and Dalvin Cook hit the runaway when a meeting was hinted at well over a week ago, but those talks never quite reached liftoff. According to a new report from The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, it doesn’t look they’re going to anytime soon.
The Patriots are reportedly “almost certainly” not going to pursue the four-time Pro Bowl free agent running back.
Howe wrote:
The Jets have shown heavy interest in Dalvin Cook, but there haven’t been any recent developments on that, according to a league source. The Patriots, who had some peripheral interest in Cook, are now almost certainly not going in that direction, according to a league source.
Just because the Patriots are likely out of the Cook sweepstakes, however, doesn’t mean they aren’t still looking to add another veteran playmaker in their offensive backfield.
Howe also reported that the Patriots’ interest in free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott remains high. Their interest in Elliott makes sense because they’re more likely to land him at a cheaper price than Cook, and he’s a strong fit as an early-down option behind Rhamondre Stevenson. He also has the versatility to catch passes out of the backfield as well.
Of course, the Patriots could opt to keep their roster as currently constructed with elevations in mind for second-year running backs Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. Veteran Ty Montgomery, who is listed as a receiver, should also be back at some point as well.
But the road of depending on an oft-injured veteran and two inexperienced skilled players is a precarious one that could come back to bite the Patriots if they’re not careful.
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