Miami Newspaper Believes Dalvin Cook Link Is Real
Dustin Baker
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When June 2nd hit the calendar, the Minnesota Vikings were officially able to trade Dalvin Cook for $11 million in cap savings or release the man and reclaim $9 million in cap dollars.
As of June 4th, the club has done neither.
Miami Newspaper Believes Dalvin Cook Link Is Real
No one is too sure ‘what the holdup is,’ but Cook remains a Viking with mandatory minicamp about one week away. He could be traded elsewhere for a mid-to-late-round draft pick, outright released, or stay with the team in 2023.
Cook, a Miami native, turns 28 in August and should have a couple of prolific seasons left in the tank. And for about three months, the man has been offhandedly linked to the Miami Dolphins in the trade rumor mill or via free agency if released by the Vikings. Even the Miami Herald believes the relationship is still realistic.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald opined over the weekend, “For those asking if Dalvin Cook to the Dolphins is a done deal, I have been led to believe it’s not a done deal. Could Cook end up here? Absolutely. It’s certainly a real possibility if he’s cut by Minnesota. There would be interest on both sides. But from my understanding, there’s not some secret agreement between the parties.”
Cook chipped off 1,173 rushing yards in 2022 with 10 total touchdowns. He also produced gigantic, game-changing touchdown scampers versus the Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts. Wins in those four contests may not have been possible without Cook’s scores.
“If they ultimately do release him, I would expect a Dolphins pursuit — but likely not at a salary close to the $10.4 million he’s due to make this season. Of that $10.4 million, only $2 million is guaranteed. Though South Florida is home for Cook and he would love to play here if he’s not in Minnesota, it’s difficult to envision Cook rejecting a significantly higher offer from another team,” Jackson added.
Cook’s return to the Vikings is unlikely for two reasons. First, he’s scheduled to incur a $14.1 million cap hit against Minnesota’s budget in 2023, a mark perhaps not beloved by the team’s management. Additionally, the Vikings have Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and rookie DeWayne McBride on the current roster. Five running backs might be too many, and offloading the group’s oldest member checks out.
In theory, Cook could also accept a paycut to stay in Minnesota if he determined the free-agent market wouldn’t provide more money than the proposed pay reduction.
Cook is the Vikings third leading rusher in franchise history.
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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.
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