Beloved Ex-Viking Weighing 2024 Options
The guy who took over for Adrian Peterson seven years ago is now in a similar spot as Peterson encountered a few years ago — waiting for his phone to ring with the correct offer.
Beloved Ex-Viking Weighing 2024 Options
He’s Dalvin Cook, a beloved former Viking, one that happens to be on the free-agent wire. The 28-year-old has not signed anywhere since a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens in January.
KPRC Houston chatted with Cook last week, and the ex-Viking talked about his patience and training regimen. Here’s the full exchange.
In April, Cook also told Wilson, “I’ve got it all. The tools are still here. I didn’t really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resumé speaks for itself.”
The veteran battled a forgettable season in 2023, failing to make a mark on the New York Jets organization despite grand plans for his life after purple. The Jets were supposed to take off in 2023 with Aaron Rodgers under center and Cook + Breece Hall at running back, but then Rodgers was injured in Week 1, and Hall soon took over bellcow responsibilities in New York’s offense as the primary ball carrier. Cook stuck around for most of the season but was released and joined the Ravens for two playoff games thereafter.
“I’m still Dalvin Cook. I’m still that guy. For me, I don’t like to toot my own horn. I just like to go out there, put my helmet on and line up on the grass I think last year was really like a learning curve for me. I got kind of itchy. At the time it was coming, the season. It was where I wanted to go and now it’s about the opportunities are going to come. It’s about what are you going to do with it. For me, patience is the key, so let’s just stay ready and stay confident it’s going to explode.” Cook continued.
Cook rushed for 214 yards on 67 carries in 2023, a vast drop-off from 1,173 yards on 264 carries during his final season with the Vikings. He was a cap casualty last summer, rumored to latch onto the Miami Dolphins for months but ultimately signing with the Jets. The experiment didn’t work.
He left the Vikings in 2023 as the franchise’s third-leading rusher in franchise history (5,993 yards) behind Adrian Peterson (11,747) and Robert Smith (6,818). His 47 rushing touchdowns rank fourth behind Peterson (97), Chuck Foreman (52), and Bill Brown (52). And his rushing yards per game (82.1) are second, only trailing Peterson (95.5).
Cook has been here-and-there linked to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, but that franchise has since signed Ezekiel Elliott.
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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