The Jets are the most obvious winner of the Dalvin Cook sweepstakes

Dalvin Cook’s likely incentive-heavy deal shores up the Jets running game with a relatively cheap one-year rental.

The New York Jets just added another offensive weapon to pair with Aaron Rodgers.

On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team is signing veteran free agent running back Dalvin Cook, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings in June. According to Schefter, the deal is worth “up to $8.6 million,” implying it will be incentive-heavy and likely cost little in terms of guaranteed money from New York.

Minnesota chose to part ways with the 28-year-old despite the four-time Pro Bowler coming off his fourth-straight 1,000-yard rushing season. It was also the first time in Cook’s injury-limited career that he played in every game.

Now, the Jets have some insurance at the running back spot — despite current starter Michael Carter saying the team didn’t need it shortly before the news broke on Monday.

Carter is starting in place of Breece Hall, who had a strong start in 2022 as a rookie but saw his campaign end after a torn ACL in Week 7. He’s currently on the PUP list and may be unavailable into the season.

Beyond Hall and Carter, the Jets only have Zonovan Knight and rookies Israel Abanikanda and Travis Dye on the roster.

Cook’s addition shores up that group quite a bit as New York looks to make a run after pulling off the blockbuster move to acquire Rodgers. If it truly is a primarily incentive-based deal, it could prove to be a relatively cheap one-year rental, as well.

The once NFC North rivals will join together as teammates in pursuit of bringing the Jets their first title since Super Bowl III in 1968.

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