The Dalvin Cook sweepstakes were won by the New York Jets last week. The veteran running back signed a one-year, $8.6 million deal with Gang Green, opting to join them over their AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Dalvin Cook is joining what is a crowded backfield that already consisted of Breece Hall, Zonovan Knight, Michael Carter and Israel Abanikanda. Having so many talented running backs will help keep everyone fresh for what the Jets are hoping is a very long season.

If playing time was the most important thing for Dalvin Cook, he would have opted to sign somewhere else. Instead, it was his long-time rival, Aaron Rodgers, who was the selling point for joining New York.

“He doesn’t have to recruit; his game recruits itself. Aaron is Aaron. If you don’t want to be part of something like that, I don’t know what you want in football,” Cook said to ESPN about the influence Rodgers had on him joining the Jets.

Dalvin Cook spent the first six seasons as a professional going head-to-head with Rodgers in the NFC North. Rodgers was leading the Green Bay Packers while the Florida State product was on the opposite sideline with the Minnesota Vikings.

Vikings fans will get a little squeamish hearing Dalvin Cook speak so highly about a hated rival in Rodgers, but it is hard to argue against him. If you have a chance to pick any team and quarterback to join in the NFL, playing in the same backfield as Rodgers has its appeal.

Vikings fans aren’t the only ones likely sickened by this new partnership. In Green Bay, they have to feel a certain way when hearing Rodgers compliment Dalvin Cook back.

“Dalvin has got it done for a long time at a high level… I’d seen him first-hand a number of years in the North. Adding a great player to a football team is always a good thing.”

Packers fans have to be disappointed knowing it only came about because Rodgers took a $35 million pay cut a few weeks ago. After holding out for every last penny while negotiating with the Packers, Rodgers willingly gave money back to the Jets.

At least for one season, Packers and Vikings fans will have a common enemy. It is hard to imagine many fans of those teams rooting for and hoping the Jets find much success in 2023 with Rodgers and Dalvin Cook in the fold.