The New York Jets didn’t get off to a solid start to the preseason, but that should be nothing to be worried about.
If anything, it allowed the team to get a glimpse of what they have in hand with Israel Abanikanda, who has drawn some nice reviews during the offseason.
Abanikanda rushed the football nine times for 27 yards and a touchdown, leading his team in carries and production.
However, head coach Robert Saleh wanted to make it loud and clear that even if he gets a more prominent role going forward, the team will still look to make a run at Dalvin Cook, citing that both things were independent of one another, per Paul Andrew Esden Jr.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh told me that Israel Abanikanda’s development & potential emergence does NOT affect their Dalvin Cook plans, ‘that’s all independent of one another’ #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/EGEs3tiP6g
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) August 4, 2023
Cook had a very positive visit with the Jets, and Saleh has been quite vocal about his support and enthusiasm for getting him on the team.
Aaron Rodgers also hinted at the possibility of adding Cook, who admitted that his next destination would most likely be in the AFC East.
Truth be told, it’s hard to know why both parties haven’t reached an agreement on a deal yet, but it feels like his arrival to the Big Apple is imminent and should happen any time now.
The Jets are also expected to have star RB Breece Hall back after he suffered a season-ending injury during his promising rookie campaign, so they could have one of the most powerful and proficient running back tandems in the league next season if Cook ends up signing with them as expected.
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