FRISCO, TX — It was only a few months ago when Mike McCarthy took the podium at The Star in Frisco and admitted the Dallas Cowboys' rushing attack left plenty to be desired in 2024, and then the team went on to reunite with Ezekiel Elliott and, a few days ago, signed another former Pro Bowler when they added Dalvin Cook to the practice squad.
Cook turned 29 on Aug. 10, and there are many outside of the building wondering if he's still got the juice that made him arguably the best running back in the league for the Minnesota Vikings.
"I got it," he said. "It's right here."
While that's likely true, it's also true that he won't be tasked with carrying the load as he once did, and that's because it's a committee approach for the Cowboys at the position in 2024, along with the fact he must also earn his way onto the active roster — be it by elevation from the practice squad and/or a final green light to stay there once he is.
And that's the expectation he's operating under heading into Week 1.
"Just keep your head down, no matter what," Cook said. "No matter the circumstance, you still have to work hard, because I stuck to my routine throughout the season and then when I got to Baltimore, I was ready to go. I was ready to get the ball however times they needed me to, but it's just unfortunate that I didn't get it that much, but I was ready to go."
Proving others wrong is no longer his motivation, though.
As he puts it, it's all about proving to his son what's possible in this world, and that's it.
A large part of the reason for Cook's move to Dallas wasn't simply in the preexisting interest he held in 2023, but also due to the fact the new defensive coordinator happens to be Mike Zimmer — the two haven't spent several seasons together in Minnesota.
Cook thrived under Zimmer and their personal relationship has remained bulletproof following Zimmer's departure from the Vikings in 2022.
So when Cook saw news that Zimmer was returning to the Cowboys, kismet was struck.
"I got the big eyes," said Cook. "I did, man. I think the world of coach Zim."
The delivery of that reply told the full story of what Zimmer means to him, a pause and heartfelt exhale preceding the words, and it sounds as if there's nowhere Cook wouldn't follow his former Vikings' head coach.
There's a theme to that sentiment, seeing as Cook is being reunited with defensive tackle Linval Joseph and linebacker Eric Kendricks, both of whom also dominated for Zimmer during their time in Minneapolis.
Cook is looking to do the same for Mike McCarthy, Cowboys' head coach and offensive playcaller, this coming season; and to prove the event horizon — namely the narrative that running backs fall off of a cliff at the age of 30 or near it — doesn't apply to him.
"What I can tell you, man: in this league, running backs, we take our bodies through so much," Cook said. "But it's a point where you've got to know, alright, I'm getting up to a certain age, I've got to start upping the stuff off the field. As for me, I just picked up a certain routine and I just ran with it.
"I just feel like it's got me to this point where I'm healthy and ready to go. So just stick to a routine. No matter the age, man. If you've got it, go get it. That's my mindset."
It's one that will help determine the course of his 2024 season, and the rest of his NFL career.
