Vikings Star RB runs Away—So Long Dalvin!
Joe Oberle
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Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast
The Vikings are no longer “Cook-ing” with Dalvin. Last week, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah finally pulled the trigger on the worst-kept secret personnel move of the offseason and released the seven-year running back. The Vikings and Cook reportedly could not reach an agreement on several things: a contract reduction, a restructuring so that they could trade him and, perhaps, even a reduced role in the wake of the re-signing of his backup Alexander Mattison for a cool seven million (starting running back money these days).
So, they parted ways. And now Dalvin (and his agent) are on their own to try to find a suitable buyer that will satisfy all his desires (demands?). And right now that is reportedly some lofty desires for a 28-year-old (in August) running back—it is said to be seeking $10 million per season, similar to what would be making with the Purple. We wish him luck in seeking a contract and situation that suits him.
Dalvin was great in his six seasons playing for the Vikings and it is difficult to see him head down the road. Such is the case for the position of running back in the NFL, particularly for a team whose head coach and GM don’t have the same emotional attachment to the players they didn’t draft. Cook was great, but an eight-figure salary for an aging running back is not. We won’t say Cook is slowing down, but we will contend that he wasn’t successful on the third and short runs required last season. Mattison was better at it, though not often enough used.
Tune into the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast and you will hear Mark Craig from the Star Tribune and startribune.com tell Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory and purplePTSD exactly. They will say so long to Dalvin, talk about the running back position in general and the Vikings still loaded running back room in particular. And they will discuss all the other pressing Vikings news of the day. Tune in and check it out.