Running back Dalvin Cook says he would be ‘perfect fit’ for Dolphins

Free agent running back Dalvin Cook on Thursday confirmed what had been an open secret: He would welcome playing for his hometown Miami Dolphins.

Appearing on Sirus XM NFL Radio, Cook indicated he has spoken to the Dolphins and said Miami would be a “perfect fit.”

Asked by host Amber Theoharis if he would be excited about going to the Dolphins, Cook said: “Yeah, it’s an exciting situation to go into when you got guys that can stretch the field on the outside. I think that defense is pretty solid to me. Tua [Tagovailoa], when he’s out on the field, they got a winning a record.

“... As a running back you look for a certain scheme and I know the scheme that I’m good in, and that’s outside zone, and that’s what the Miami Dolphins run. So it’s like, you know, it’d be a perfect fit. And the roster, like you said, speaks for itself.”

Cook also was asked: “What teams have you spoken to personally where you see that that could be a reality if you were to join that team?”

Cook’s response: “You know, a lot of people got me pegged going back home [to the Dolphins]. A lot of people got me going to the Jets. It’s all over the place right now, but what’s gonna be important for me is just going to that right situation and helping somebody turn the page.

“I want to go and be the piece that can just help somebody win and get over the hump and whatever that situation comes with, if it comes with me taking less reps, but me being in the perfect situation to hold up that trophy, I don’t mind. I just wanna go somewhere I can just get the ball and just help somebody win, and turn the next page.”

The Dolphins explored trading for Cook in March, according to sources.

It’s unclear how much the Dolphins are willing to pay Cook, who ideally would like to make something not dramatically different from the $10.4 million that he was due to make from the Vikings before they released him earlier this month.

Minnesota must pay him $2 million guaranteed this season, supplementing whatever he makes from a new team.

Cook, attended Miami Central High, averaged 4.4 per carry last season and 4.7 in his career. He has four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has been invited to the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons.

The Dolphins have six tailbacks under contract: Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., second-round rookie De’Von Achane, Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and undrafted BYU rookie Chris Brooks. The Dolphins also have two fullbacks under contract — Alec Ingold and John Lovett.

The Dolphins have $13.9 million in cap space, per overthecap.com.