Sep 9, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) during a game between the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
Since the beginning of 2023 free agency — so about three months — Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has been at the focal point of the trade rumor mill.
The 27-year-old was on deck for a $14.1 million cap hit heading into the offseason, which may be too rich for the Vikings blood.
The most popular trade theory involving Cook includes the Miami Dolphins and has basically been alive for about 90 days. And on Monday, SI.com’s Albert Breer confirmed the Cook-Dolphins hullabaloo.
Breer wrote to start the week, “The Dolphins’ earlier dalliance with Dalvin Cook (and maybe a renewed one) is a window into the next phase of his career. Minnesota and Miami came very close to a trade that would’ve made Cook a Dolphin back in March, and what’s interesting about the deal that fell apart then is how the vision the team trading for him dovetails with how the team trading him away sees him.”
The rumor back in March insinuated Cook and the Dolphins had struck a deal — but a failed physical reportedly canceled or paused the transaction. Cook then had surgery to repair his shoulder.
“The idea, for Miami, was to add another big-play threat to an arsenal that already has two of the game’s most explosive receivers, in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, in the holster. And after that one came undone, and as Minnesota contemplated a price it’d be comfortable bringing Cook back at (which would be less than the $11 million he’s due), the Vikings discussed using him more sparingly, as an explosive complement to Alexander Mattison,” Breer continued.
The Vikings re-upped with Mattison in March — right around the time Cook and Dolphins chatter initially aligned — for two years and $7 million. That type of contract tends to signal RB1 duty in this day and age.
Breer concluded, “Would Miami still be interested? Maybe, though that desire for a big-play back was, at least to some degree, addressed in the third round of the draft, with ultra-explosive Texas A&M back Devon Achane coming in.”
Miami has these running backs under contract as of June 5th;
So, it’s unclear where Cook would fit inside that sixsome or would-be group of seven. But the Cook-to-Miami possibility is apparently still alive.
Minnesota has five halfbacks on the roster, including Cook, meaning someone like Kene Nwangwu could be the odd-man out on the regular season roster if Cook takes a paycut to stay in purple and gold.
Overall, Cook + Miami isn’t quite dead.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.