Rumors have swirled for weeks that running back Dalvin Cook’s time with the Minnesota Vikings was coming to an end. The team isn’t interested in paying the $10.4 million that he is owed this season and was looking for ways to clear that salary off their books.

Trade rumors have persisted, but to this point, no deal has materialized. The Vikings’ preference to not pay Dalvin Cook’s full contract is likely the same thing deterring other teams from making a deal.

Reports have surfaced that the Vikings were getting close to a deal, but releasing Dalvin Cook does remain a possibility. If Minnesota cannot find someone willing to pay that contract and they decide they don’t want to either, releasing him is the only avenue to take.

In that scenario, one team has emerged as a likely landing spot; the Miami Dolphins. Dalvin Cook landing with the Dolphins, should he be released, is “certainly a real possibility’ according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

It would be a homecoming for Dalvin Cook, who was born and grew up in Miami and played collegiately at Florida State. He would also be a major upgrade for their running game, which was among the worst in the NFL during the 2022 season.

Miami ranked 31st in rushing attempts and 25th in yardage. Improving those numbers is imperative in 2023 as it will take pressure off of Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered two scary head injuries last season.

The Dolphins haven’t done much to shake their running back depth chart up this offseason, either. They re-signed their entire quartet of Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin. Miami did draft Devon Achane out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but that shouldn’t deter the team from pursuing Dalvin Cook.

The former Seminole has made the Pro Bowl team four consecutive years and remains one of the most productive running backs in the NFL. Adding him to the Dolphins’ lineup would make an already explosive offense that much tougher to slow down.