3 Reasons Why Dalvin Cook Could Remain in Minnesota This Season
Josh Frey
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Throughout the offseason, much of the discussions regarding RB Dalvin Cook have suggested that he will no longer be on the Vikings roster by Week 1. As a result the headlines have been things like:
- A Dark Horse to Snag Dalvin Cook Has Direct Link to Minnesota
- Adam Schefter Says Dalvin Cook’s Future Is ‘In Question’
- The 3 Pros and Cons of Trading Dalvin Cook
- The Best Trade Fit for Dalvin Cook
However, what if we’ve been off-base from the beginning? Is there a chance that the veteran running back remains in Minnesota for at least one more year? Here are three reasons why Cook could remain with the Vikings in 2023.
Talent Talks
As things stand heading into June, Cook is by far the most proven running back on the Vikings roster. That means something. Sure, Minnesota may have re-signed Alexander Mattison in free agency as a security blanket in case Cook was gone at some point this offseason, but as we approach the 2023 season, the Vikings 2019 third-round pick is yet to break 500 rushing yards in a season.
Behind Mattison, there is a bunch of unproven talent waiting on deck as well. Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu have combined for 34 touches at the NFL level, and while DeWayne McBride was one of college football’s most productive running backs last year, he did so with UAB in a conference filled with porous defenses.
If the Vikings want to be a true contender this year, and running the football will be a big part of that, keeping Cook around for one more season makes sense from a talent standpoint.
Minnesota Isn’t Desperate for Cap Space
One of the big reasons that a Cook release or trade seemed inevitable involved the Vikings salary cap situation. Minnesota entered the offseason in a rather sticky spot with their cap space. However, a few money-saving moves popped up, such as:
- Cutting Adam Thielen
- Cutting Eric Kendricks
- Harrison Smith reducing his cap hit for 2023
- Trading Za’Darius Smith
As a result, the Vikings are now sitting rather pretty heading into 2023 with just under $10 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap. Seeing as the roster is largely filled out now that we are in the month of June, freeing up a large chunk of salary cap space isn’t as valuable now as it would have been back in, say, March or April.
The only real reason that the Vikings would need such a large amount of money right now would be if they are considering getting into the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes. However, with their current depth at receiver, such a move would likely just be overkill at a position of strength. If Minnesota does trade Cook, it would be a move that saves them precisely $11 million in 2023.
A Potential Pay Cut
Trade theories surrounding Cook really picked up steam when news broke early in the offseason that the running back would be unwilling to take a pay cut. However, he seems to have changed his tune in recent weeks.
Back in late May, Darren Wolfson of KTSP reported on the SKOR North podcast “Mackey and Judd” that Cook may be having a change of heart. According to Wolfson’s report, he is now open to the idea of taking a pay cut in order to stay in Minnesota.
If the Vikings are able to work out a deal with Cook to lower his cap hit of $14.1 million this fall, it should be a no-brainer to get this move done. We’ve discussed the talent already, and while a few extra million in the bank would be nice in case injuries pop up, saving that full $11 million is not dire right now.
For all these reasons listed above, we should keep an open mind that we may indeed see Cook return in a purple uniform for at least one more ride in 2023.
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.