Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) gets tripped up by New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) during the third quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings are about $24 million over the cap with two weeks to go before free agency begins, the third-worst standing in the NFL. Only the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for now, are in worse shape.
Nevertheless, the franchise must still add new free agents and onboard an entire draft class, so “something’s gotta give” via clearing cap space.
And with cap-clearing measures mere days from fruition, the Vikings may be nearing a divorce from long-time running back Dalvin Cook.
Cook is scheduled to carry an expensive $14.1 million cap number in 2022, and paying halfbacks upper-echelon cash is becoming increasingly taboo in the NFL — especially for teams with analysts-focused general managers, like the Vikings.
Vikings bossman Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about Cook’s future Tuesday at the NFL Combine, and he called Cook a “great player and a great leader.”
“In the NFL, you have a lot of constraints, salary cap, different things, and we’re trying to figure out how we can operate in those things,” Adofo-Mensah cryptically added.
On the other hand, Adofo-Mensah was asked about Justin Jefferson’s upcoming contract extension, and he replied, “I don’t want to be the Vikings GM without that guy on the roster. “
So, if you’re keeping score at home, Adofo-Mensah said about Cook, “you have a lot of constraints” — and “I don’t wanna work here” without Jefferson.
These are markedly different and telling responses.
While it’s absolutely no surprise Adofo-Mensah is hellbent on retaining Jefferson, 23, over Cook, 27, words were not minced. One man is a priority, and the other is not.
What’s more, Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, posted a photo and caption to Instagram Monday:
“Call run plays, too,” refers to the Vikings offensive playcalling in 2022. Minnesota ran the ball the third least in the NFL, preferring to pass, pass, and pass it some more en route to a 13-4 record and NFC North title. Even with a low percentage of run plays, though, Cook ranked sixth leaguewide in rushing yards. He tallied 1,173 yards on the ground and 10 total touchdowns.
Cook’s $14.1 million cap hit in 2022 is a figure not likely enjoyed by the Vikings analytics-focused front office. It’s too expensive for a running back, and teams with expensive running backs basically never win Super Bowls. It’s just the way it is.
The cash-strapped Vikings may look to Cook’s contract for restructuring, trade, or outright release. It’s one of the offseason’s largest mysteries.
But according to Adofo-Mensah’s noncommital musings at the NFL Combine, plus Cook’s agent’s ire about the lack of rushing attempts in 2022, this could be the end for Cook in Minnesota.
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,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.