Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins Could Be a Package Deal
Both Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins were surprisingly released by their teams this offseason after the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals were unable to find trade packages for the playmakers. Now, as the two continue to search for their next teams in free agency, an interesting tidbit from the former Vikings RB makes it seem like the two could be a package deal this summer.
In a discussion with Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cook was asked if the two had talked at all about their next teams, and the four-time Pro Bowler revealed that he wants to play with the star receiver during the 2023 season.
“Everyone knows who DHop is. You know what you are getting out of DHop, and you know what he is going to bring to your roster. It’s the same thing for me, like you know what the film speaks for itself. Like I don’t really got to do too much, like talking about who Dalvin Cook is,” the running back said.
He isn’t wrong. Both players have been stars in the league virtually ever since they got consistent playing time in the NFL. After battling through injuries in 2017 and 2018, Cook has surpassed 1100 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons. Meanwhile, Hopkins has recorded 1000+ receiving yards in seven of his 10 NFL seasons while being named a first-team All-Pro member three times.
“If we can get on the same roster and be on the same team, you know, that’d be the beauty of the situation,” Cook continued. “You know, we know what we trying to come do, and what we bringing to the team, so if we end up on the same roster, man that would be something. Like, that would be something epic for the NFL.”
Indeed, if the two landed on the same team this year, that could severely shuffle how teams stack up this year. The question, though, is which teams could afford to bring both stars aboard?
As of now, the Chicago Bears have the most salary cap space in the NFL at $32 million. Another contender to keep an eye on may be the New York Jets, who have made a number of moves, including trading to acquire Aaron Rodgers, to jump into Super Bowl contention. They currently sit with just over $23 million available. Perhaps Cook and Adam Thielen could reunite in Carolina as well, with the Panthers having a touch over $26.5 million left available.
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.