The Minnesota Vikings held out for as long as they could when it came to the situation with running back Dalvin Cook. They were intent, one way or another, on not paying him the $10.4 million he was owed for the 2023 season.
After not being able to find a trade partner, the team opted to release the six-year veteran. He is now a free agent and free to sign with any team he wishes, with the Miami Dolphins being the early favorites. Cook is from Miami and went to Florida State for college so it would be a logical landing spot, especially with their need at the position.
However, Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown some cold water on that idea. Recently, Cousins was answering some questions from reporters and one of them asked about the departure of Cook. Somewhat surprisingly, Cousins mused about the possibility of Cook not going anywhere and working out a new deal with the Vikings.
“I’m excited to see where he goes, I’ll always be pulling for him and I’m kind of optimistically hoping maybe we get him back,” Cousins said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “Who knows? Maybe there is an outside chance. We’ll see.” (H/T ProFootballTalk)
That would certainly be a crazy turn of events if the Vikings were to bring Cook back into the fold. It will almost certainly come down to money, as Minnesota’s brass could have a number in mind they would be comfortable paying Cook. If that number is higher than what he is being offered by other teams, a reunion could be in store.
Alas, that seems highly unlikely. The Vikings re-signed Alexander Mattison in free agency and gave him guaranteed money not only in 2023 but in 2024 as well. That is a clear sign they are comfortable turning the backfield over to him.
Unless Cook is willing to take a steep pay cut, which wasn’t the case earlier in the offseason when he was approached about it, his time in Minnesota is likely over. It would certainly be shocking to see the four-time Pro Bowler back in Vikings’ purple for the 2023 season.
