Dalvin Cook Addresses Talk of Being 'Washed': 'I Can Make a Backfield Electric' | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Ava White
Published Mar 25, 2026
Free agent running back Dalvin Cook dismissed talk that he's "washed," adding that he wants an opportunity to show that he can still make a backfield "electric" and help a team win.
Cook spoke with Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on that matter and others on Wednesday's edition of The Insiders.
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafoloFree agent RB Dalvin Cook on The Insiders on <a href="">@nflnetwork</a>: "This year, I want to go to training camp. Just to get my legs back under me and feel like myself again." Says he "still can take (the ball) 80 (yards) when it's time." <a href="">
"The 'washed' talk is going to come when you don't produce," Cook said (4:10 in video). "...I just want to go show people I can make a backfield electric. I can go change the scoreboard still."
Cook played his first six NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2017-2022). He made the Pro Bowl each year from 2019-2022 and averaged 1,606 total yards during that span. Cook has 52 rushing touchdowns, and his 5,238 rushing yards since 2019 are fourth-most in the NFL behind Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Nick Chubb.
The Vikings released Cook in a salary cap-related move, and he landed with the New York Jets in August.
However, Cook struggled when given the chance, rushing for only 3.2 yards per carry. He eventually fell down the depth chart, with Breece Hall and rookie Israel Abanikanda getting more work.
The Jets and Cook eventually parted ways, and he landed on the Baltimore Ravens, rushing for 23 yards on eight carries in the Divisional Round.
Now Cook is a free agent, but he clearly believes he has something left in the tank. A full training camp and offseason with a new team would certainly help him ramp up for 2024, something he didn't have in 2023. He's only a year removed from amassing 1,468 yards and 10 scores, so if he come close to that old form, a new team could be getting a steal in acquiring some quality backfield depth in Cook.
