The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly in discussions with four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Cook, who has been a free agent throughout the offseason, is scheduled to fly to Dallas on Monday to meet with the team. However, it’s unclear how close the two parties are to reaching an agreement.
At 29, Cook has been one of the NFL’s most productive running backs during his prime years with the Minnesota Vikings. From 2019 to 2022, Cook delivered four consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, surpassing 1,300 rushing yards in each campaign. His consistency and explosive playmaking ability made him one of the league’s premier backs during that period.
However, Cook’s career took a turn after he underwent shoulder surgery in the 2023 offseason. The Vikings released him before the start of training camp, marking the end of his tenure in Minnesota. Cook then signed with the New York Jets, where he played a reduced role in a crowded backfield. His time in New York was marked by a significant decline in production, as he managed only 214 rushing yards on 3.2 yards per carry—well below his previous career low of 4.4 yards per carry in 2022.
Cook’s stint with the Jets ended before their season finale, and he briefly joined the Baltimore Ravens for the postseason. In Baltimore, Cook contributed minimally, rushing just eight times for 23 yards in the divisional-round victory over the Houston Texans. He did not see the field in the Ravens’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
As Cook remains a free agent, the Cowboys’ interest likely stems from the hope that he can recapture some of his former brilliance after what has been described as a “relatively healthy offseason.” Dallas is heading into the season with a running back committee led by Ezekiel Elliott, who returned to the Cowboys after a year with the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old Elliott, who leads the depth chart, had a modest season in New England, posting 645 yards, three touchdowns on 3.5 yards per carry, 313 receiving yards, and two touchdowns on 51 catches.
Behind Elliott are Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman, but neither has shown the same level of productivity as the former Pro Bowler. The Cowboys’ interest in Cook suggests they are looking for a potential upgrade or at least additional depth in their backfield. Whether Cook can return to his Pro Bowl form remains to be seen, but the meeting with Dallas indicates that the team is willing to explore that possibility.