Dalvin Cook became a headline name available after the Minnesota Vikings let him go earlier this off-season. Cook and his suitors took up airtime in public until late last week when the New York Jets jumped in to sign him. Beneath the surface, though, troubles emerged, as a domestic violence lawsuit issued towards Cook grabbed headlines this off-season as well.
But as it turns out, the Jets protected themselves from a potential suspension for Cook. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported a bombshell on Wednesday.
“…But the Jets did structure the one-year deal in a way that gives them multiple significant forms of protection against a potential suspension. Per a source with knowledge of the contract, the deal ties a total of $5.92 million to Cook not being on the reserve/suspended list.”
Florio pointed out that the contract doesn’t include a signing bonus, and his base salary of $1.08 million is guaranteed. He will receive bonuses, but the team can still be protected if the NFL suspends him following their own investigation of the lawsuit.
Cook joined the Jets after spending several years in Minnesota. The team parted ways with him after six seasons, in which he ran for nearly 6,000 rushing yards. The Miami Dolphins were also linked to Dalvin in the off-season before he opted to sign with the Jets.
