Cook says he’s the top RB in the game. Now the Vikes are gonna pay him like it

Now that the Minnesota Vikings have extended quarterback Kirk Cousins, and let about half the defense walk in or around the time of free agency, their next big contract is that of running back Dalvin Cook. 

The Vikings are widely expected to resign Cook to one of the biggest contracts in football once the sides agree on terms. Cook had a breakout year in 2019, after two injury shortened seasons to start his career made it so he missed exactly half of his first 32 games. 

Despite that, and the time he missed in 2020, it’s safe to say that when healthy Dalvin Cook is among the best in the NFL at what he does. One person that certainly believes that is Dalvin Cook himself. 

“The things I do coming out of the backfield, the things I do in between the tackles, I block, I pretty much do it all,” Cook said, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I don’t have to come off the field. I think some guys just don’t do as much as I do, and I think that’s why I’m today’s (top) back.”

Playing in 14 games in 2019/20, Cook has 1,135 yards, and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries (good for a healthy 4.5 yard per carry average). He also helped out of the backfield, amassing 519 yards on 53 catches. 

He also appeared much more durable than his first two seasons. He had eight games with more than 20 carries and 1,654 yards from scrimmage (good for 7th-most in the league, the same ranking his yards accrued (although he was the fourth-best in the league in 2019)). 

The Vikings have spent most of the off-season (thus far) opening up cap space, so it’s not surprising that they’re working towards an extension with Cook, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal where he is owed a bit over $2 million. 

It was reported earlier this off-season that Cook and his agent believed he was worth $13-$15 million a year (where as the Vikings pegged him as an $8-$10 million back). Sounds like Cook believes he’s worth the former, and especially with Stefon Diggs forcing his way out of Minny, the Vikings can’t afford to lose Cook, even if they kinda can’t afford him.

Some have argued that teams that spend over 17.5% of their cap space on their quarterback and running back have, at least in recent history, had bad results. Between Cousins and Cook in 2019, the Vikings were already at 16.5% (obviously due to Cousins deal). 

Those numbers came before Cousins’ deal with the Vikings in 2018 changed how QB’s are paid. Now with quarterbacks getting or wanting upwards of $40 million a season, they are (also obviously) nearing or eclipsing that number by themselves. So, it’s perhaps not the best metric for success moving forward. 

With the Vikings promoting running back guru Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator this off-season, it’s looking like Cook could be on the verge of the 2k (total) yard season he recently spoke with… *Shudder*… TMZ Sports about this week. 

Let’s hope so, as it sounds like Cook doesn’t want to play elsewhere.

“I definitely love Minnesota,” Cook said. “I love everything the state has to bring. Being a kid, (when) I was drafted, so I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I actually am happy where I’m at, and I would like to be in Minnesota long term.”

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