Dalvin Cook Is Still Looking for Big Money in Free Agency
Josh Frey
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Last Friday, the Minnesota Vikings made the decision to release running back Dalvin Cook after six seasons with the team, including four Pro Bowl appearances. The biggest reason for this release boiled down to the financial situation that the team has found itself in, along with an overall devaluation of the running back position.
Since the release, Cook has remained unsigned for about a week as teams underwent mandatory minicamps. However, apparently the running back is not backing down from his desire to make big money with his next contract, as reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Jackson tweeted this week, “As I’ve reported, Dalvin Cook wants something far closer to $10.4 million he was to get from Minnesota.”
Cook himself also joined The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday, being hosted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and said, “I want the value. I want somebody who wants Dalvin Cook.”
The Vikings saved $9 million against the salary cap by releasing the soon-to-be 28-year-old running back, which is a huge reason why Minnesota ultimately went through with the release.
It feels unlikely that Cook will be able to garner that type of value in free agency, especially considering other veteran players like Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt remain available as well without having snatched big deals. If Cook were to be paid $10.4 million this year, it would be the seventh-most cash handed to any running back in the league.
That being said, there is no denying that the former Vikings RB is a very talented player. He is the only player with 1100+ yards in each of the past four seasons, and he can certainly help stabilize a backfield for an NFL team even at this point in his career.
The question remains, though, how much longer will that be the case? That’s where teams have to weigh benefit and risk of handing a contract to him.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.