FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) 鈥 Coach Robert Saleh was certain the New York Jets were about to lose out on signing Dalvin Cook.
The then-free agent running back was visiting the team in July, with each side gauging the other's interest, when the Jets presented what seemed like a potential deal breaker.
鈥淚 feel like we put on a worst-case scenario,鈥 Saleh recalled Saturday. 鈥淲hen he left, I was like, 鈥橳here鈥檚 no way he鈥檚 going to want to play here.'鈥
The Jets told Cook, who's in Minnesota, he could end up standing on the sideline a lot while other running backs played.
New York also has Breece Hall, Michael Carter and rookie Israel Abanikanda in the backfield, so carries could be tough to come by, especially if offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett rides the hot hand in games.
鈥淎nd he still wanted to be here," Saleh said. "It was laid out exactly and I was like, 鈥榃hy would he want to be here the way we explained it?鈥 But he was all in and it gives us faith that he鈥檚 all in on this process. He鈥檚 ready to do anything we need him to do in football games 鈥 whether it鈥檚 25 carries, whether it鈥檚 one carry.
"Whatever it is, he鈥檚 ready to roll.鈥
Cook took a couple of weeks to consider his options before signing a one-year deal with the Jets worth $7 million, including $5.8 million guaranteed. It could be worth up to $8.6 million with incentives.
鈥淗e was like, 鈥楥oach, I just want to win,鈥欌 Saleh said. "When he left and his team still showed interest, I was like: 鈥榃e should absolutely bring him in. He鈥檚 only going to help us.鈥 Since he鈥檚 walked in here, his smarts, his tutelage, his experience bringing to that running back room, he鈥檚 been fantastic.鈥
The 28-year-old Cook spent his first six NFL seasons with the Vikings, developing into one of the league's most productive running backs. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is third on Minnesota鈥檚 career rushing list with 5,993 yards but found himself without a job in June.
With the Jets, Cook believes he'll have an opportunity to not only contribute but have a chance to win in the playoffs 鈥 especially with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback.
鈥淚鈥檓 a part of a great group right now,鈥 Cook said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to go win a bunch of games with these guys."
Cook will get his first chance Monday night when the against the AFC East-rival Buffalo Bills.
鈥淚 feel great, man,鈥 Cook said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great time to be alive. ... I'm ready to go have some fun.鈥
Speaking of which, the game against the Bills will mark the second time Cook faces his younger brother James 鈥 a second-year running back for Buffalo 鈥 in the NFL. Dalvin has early bragging rights in that competition after his Vikings beat the Bills 33-30 in overtime last season.
When Dalvin was still a free agent, there was some speculation he could join his brother in Buffalo. That was never an option in Dalvin鈥檚 mind, though.
鈥淚鈥檒l never get in my brother鈥檚 way,鈥 he said of his James, who is five years younger and ran for 507 yards and two TDs as a rookie. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 give him the touches he needed last year, so for me to even think about signing over there was getting in his way.鈥
Cook, who had offseason shoulder surgery, completed a full week of practice after while he learned the offense and was away a few days to witness the birth of his first child.
鈥淭o now get him out on the field and watch his work ethic has been something great to see,鈥 Hackett said. "It's great for all of the guys, just even his warmups.鈥
Hall, who's healthy after coming off a knee injury that cut short his promising rookie season, is excited about teaming with Cook to provide the Jets with a formidable 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
鈥淥h, we're probably going to be the best duo in the league,鈥 Hall declared.
How Cook, Hall and the other running backs are used remains to be seen, as Saleh alluded to in their initial meeting with Cook.
But Cook refuses to get caught up in any potential numbers.
鈥淚 expect the same thing every year: Be productive,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 ain't worried about carries and all that. I鈥檓 trying to go win a football game and have some fun.鈥
NOTES: Hall, LT Duane Brown (shoulder) and RT Mekhi Becton (knee/illness) were full practice participants for the first time this week. They're listed as questionable but are all expected to play. ... CB Michael Carter II (elbow) also fully practiced and had no game status designation, so he'll play.
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