‘I’m still Dalvin Cook, I’m still that guy,’ four-time Pro Bowl runner training with Justin Allen in Houston

HOUSTON – Standing on one foot atop a balance ball, Dalvin Cook maintained his positioning while extending his other leg backwards to achieve maximum stability, flexibility and core strength.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back hustled through an intense workout Friday morning with Houston-based NFL trainer Justin Allen during a two-hour session that emphasized strength, stamina, resistance band training, weights, and explosiveness.

“Fun, man. you always get a new fresh breath of energy just doing something new, moving around,” Cook told KPRC 2. “It’s the offseason, so you want to get on your feet and get going. I think he’s got the perfect program set up here.”

Cook, 28, one of the most productive running backs in the league during his six years with the Minnesota Vikings with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons that included a career-high 1,557-yard, 16-touchdown campaign in 2020, is a free agent. The veteran runner is coming off a disappointing and uncharacteristically quiet season with the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens as he had a career-low 67 carries for 214 yards and no touchdowns with a 3.2 average per carry that’s a stark contrast to his overall career production of 6,207 yards, 47 touchdowns and a robust 4.6 average per run.

Cook is determined to get back on track as he awaits his next NFL opportunity and has maintained his confidence after a long year after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the Jets as he played a career-low 21 percent of the offensive snaps before rushing for 23 yards on eight carries for the Ravens in an AFC divisional round victory over the Texans, including a 19-yard run on his first attempt, in that game at M&T Bank Stadium.

“I’ve got it all,” Cook said. “The tools are still here. I didn’t really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resume speaks for itself. I’m still Dalvin Cook. I’m still that guy. For me, I don’t like to toot my own horn. I just like to go out there, put my helmet on and line up on the grass.”

A Houston area resident, Cook, a former Vikings second-round draft pick from Florida State, is maintaining his patience. His goal is to stay in optimal condition so he can hit the ground running whenever he joins a new NFL teams. The Dallas Cowboys are among the teams he’s been linked to this offseason as a potential fit

“Yeah, you always have to be prepared for the opportunity,” Cook said. “For me, I’m a veteran in the league. I know what it takes to be successful in this league. I know who Dalvin Cook is and I know how I want to perform and what I want to do. Like you said, stay ready so you ain’t got to get ready.”

One thing that was vastly different about last year was not signing with a team until Aug. 15, 2023 midway through training camp when he joined a Jets team that, at the time, was led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the former MVP abruptly tore his Achilles tendon in the opening game of the season.

“I think last year was really like a learning curve for me,” Cook said. " I got kind of itchy. At the time it was coming. the season. it was where I wanted to go and now it’s about the opportunities are going to come. It’s about what are you going to do with it. For me, patience is the key so let’s just stay ready and stay confident it’s going to explode.”

Cook has traditionally been the type of back who gets stronger with a heavier workload. His touches were limited as Breece Hall returned from a knee injury earlier than anticipated and resumed his role as the primary running back.

“Put the tape on, you’ll see,” Cook said.

Cook is in no rush to sign with a team with nothing imminent at this time.

“Right now, for me, I’m going to go earn my spot wherever I go,” Cook said. “For now, just see how everything is going to fill out for everybody. and then, you know me, I’ll show up on the scene.”

At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, Cook has long been one of the most productive runners in the NFL with a downhill, physical running style with a proven ability to break long runs.

His work ethic was on display with Allen, who trains several Texans players, including Tank Dell and Will Anderson Jr.

“Oh man, it was great,” Allen said. “He’s in shape and ready to go, mentally and physically. Just ready for the opportunity most definitely. I think, as we all know you can cut on the tape and see everything you need to know.

“The mentality is there, body is fresh. It’s just the opportunity, getting in the right zone scheme and watch him do what he do. Definitely, you can’t lie about the tape.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.