Mike Zimmer’s Cowboys Sign Next Former Viking
During the eventful times of roster cuts to get down to 53 players, teams are still looking for reinforcement to strengthen their roster for the long NFL season. One of those teams is the Dallas Cowboys, an organization that has gotten some purple shades in recent months.
Mike Zimmer’s Cowboys Sign Next Former Viking
Mike Zimmer was hired in the offseason to take over the defensive coordinator job from Dan Quinn, who is the new head coach of the Washington Commanders. Zimmer held the DC role in Dallas between 2000 and 2006.
Last week, the Cowboys acquired former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Linval Joseph to bolster the defensive line. He will turn 36 in October and is entering the final stretch of his career. Linebacker Eric Kendricks was roaming behind him during most of his tenure in Minnesota. Zimmer’s old friend joined the club during free agency.
The ex-Vikings coach also welcomed former second-rounder Andrew Booth a few weeks ago. He arrived in Minnesota after Zimmer’s departure.
The latest addition to his collection of former Vikings is playing on the offensive side: running back Dalvin Cook.
Tom Pelissero tweeted on Wednesday morning: “Four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook is signing with the Cowboys, per his agency LAA. Cook was waiting for the right opportunity and always felt it was Dallas. A marquee addition in Big D.”
Cook starred for the Vikings between 2017 and 2022. He was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft out of Florida State. It was obvious early in his career that he would be worth that pick with electric performances in the preseason and the first three games of the season.
In game four, however, Cook tore his ACL, knocking him out of the season. Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon shined in his absence, leading the Case Keenum-led offense to the NFC Championship game.
Cook’s 2018 campaign was shaky, and he clearly had not returned to 100%, dealing with some soft-tissue injuries one year removed from his knee surgery. His playmaking ability was on full display in 2019. He was voted to his first of four consecutive Pro Bowls. Cook reached 1,100 rushing yards in each of those four seasons.
In six years with the Vikings, Cook rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns, ranking him third and fourth in franchise history, respectively.
Last season, he signed with the Jets but didn’t succeed, collecting a terrible average of 3.2 yards per carry. He then joined the Ravens for their playoff push, again with limited success.
A recent tweet from Tom Pelissero might explain his 2023 struggles: “Unlike a year ago, when he was rehabbing from shoulder surgery, Cook has hit the weights all offseason and says he feels the best he has in years.”
Those reports should always be taken with a grain of salt, as players regularly say they are in the best shape of their careers and then fail to reach previous heights.
Cook joins one of the worst backfields in the NFL, led by aging runner Zeke Elliott and Rico Dowdle.
The Vikings aren’t scheduled to face the Dallas Cowboys this season, so a reunion with all the long-time Vikings will not happen unless they meet in the playoffs.
Cook just turned 29, and it remains to be seen if he is still a dynamic player by NFL running back standards.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt