Jets' Dalvin Cook backs Zach Wilson after Aaron Rodgers injury

Running back Dalvin Cook wasn't with the New York Jets when head coach Robert Saleh benched quarterback Zach Wilson multiple times last season. But he's now backed Wilson now that the 24-year-old is atop the depth chart.

"One thing I do like about him, I like his operation, he comes into the huddle with a lot of confidence ready to deliver, no panic in him," Cook said about Wilson on Wednesday, per Ben Krimmel of SNY. "I got a lot of confidence in him. The past is the past, and from what I’ve seen, Zach is our guy. We gotta rock out with him, we gotta go do what we need to do. We gotta be better around him and I feel like we will. Just helping him make some plays and take a lot off him." 

Wilson entered Monday's home game versus the Buffalo Bills after Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending torn Achilles after just four offensive snaps. The second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft ultimately completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 140 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 22-16 overtime win, and Saleh made it known Tuesday that Wilson will start this coming Sunday's matchup at the 1-0 Dallas Cowboys. 

In total, the Jets accumulated 172 rushing yards against the Bills. Second-year pro Breece Hall was responsible for 127 of those yards on 10 carries, while Cook contributed 33 yards on 13 attempts.

Cook insisted Wednesday he believes that "the ground game is in good hands" but added he trusts Wilson can run what was set to be Rodgers' offense. 

"I don’t think it’s no holdback of what we trying to do," Cook said about his mindset. "It’s Zach’s team and let’s go try to win." 

The Jets reportedly won't sign Tom Brady or Colin Kaepernick to start over Wilson but were linked on Wednesday with Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. It's unclear if either quarterback will be made available to Gang Green before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.