Dalvin Cook’s Contract Will Save the Vikings Some Money in 2024
On Monday evening, the Dalvin Cook saga came to an end as the former Vikings running back made the decision to sign with the New York Jets.
That meant the former Vikings RB would be joining former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers to form a truly cringe-worthy tandem in New York. Regardless, the deal is done, and Cook got a 1-year deal worth $8.6 million. It is the largest deal signed by any free agent running back this offseason.
While Cook’s departure is tough to see from a Vikings fandom perspective, especially to go join Rodgers, the good news from this deal is that it seems to be saving the Vikings some money for the 2024 offseason.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted Monday night, “Vikings had an offset on the $2mm they owed Cook, which this deal presumably will relieve.”
Cook was slated to carry about $3.1 in dead money for the 2024 season, so now, this new deal with the Jets should drop that dead money down to around $1.1 million, thus giving Minnesota $52.4 million in space.
The former Vikings RB played six seasons in Minnesota, surpassing 1100 rushing yards in each of the past four. Among active RBs over those four seasons, Cook ranks third in rushing yards (5024), trailing only Derrick Henry (6042) and Nick Chubb (5345), per Stathead.
Among all-time Vikings ranks, Cook sits as the franchise’s third-leading rusher (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).
Now, Cook joins a RB room in New York that also contains Breece Hall, who the Jets activated off of PUP on Tuesday. Hall, a 2022 second-round pick, burst onto the scene for New York last year before a torn ACL prematurely ended his season. Over his first seven games in the NFL, Hall recorded 80 carries for 463 yards and 4 TDs while also catching 19 passes for an additional 218 yards and another touchdown.
Cook also reunites with former Vikings such as TE Tyler Conklin, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE Jalyn Holmes, LB Chazz Surratt, and LB Nick Vigil.
As for the Vikings cap space, any extra cap room will be helpful next offseason. Currently, Minnesota has a boatload of players set to enter free agency in 2024, including QB Kirk Cousins, LG Ezra Cleveland, TE T.J. Hockenson, LB Jordan Hicks, OLB Danielle Hunter, and OLB Marcus Davenport.
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.