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Dalvin Cook, the notable running back for the Minnesota Vikings, seems to be on the brink of a career transition. A potential relocation could have widespread implications not only on his personal trajectory but also on the dynamics of the game. The Vikings approached Cook with a proposition for a salary reduction to ensure his stay with the team, but the star running back had no interest in providing his elite level services at a discount.
Given the looming contract extension of Justin Jefferson, the Vikings may find it challenging to allocate over $10 million to retain Cook. Despite Cook’s active contract that spans several years, the Vikings could potentially leverage a clause to their advantage. This clause allows them to sever ties with Cook, leading to a dead-cap hit of roughly $8.2 million. As the Vikings juggle to stay within the NFL salary cap, Cook seems to be the primary candidate for a potential cap casualty.
As per Maurice Jones-Drew, an analyst for NFL.com and ex-NFL running back, Dalvin Cook ranked as the seventh-best running back during the 2022 NFL Season. It’s infrequent for a running back of Cook’s calibre to be available in their prime. While it’s common knowledge that running backs often decline after the age of 30, Cook, at 27, has a handful of prime years remaining.
As it becomes increasingly clear that Cook is likely to depart, it’s worth examining potential destinations. This would depend on the combination of a team’s positional requirement and financial capacity. Let’s discuss teams who could negotiate a trade for Cook, followed by those who might acquire him as a free agent if he’s released.
POSSIBLE TRADE PARTNERS
A key factor to keep in mind is that any team trading for Cook will need to accommodate his current contract valid till 2026, unless a restructure is negotiated. Such a team would secure an elite running back for the next few years, but this is balanced by a rising base salary annually and potentially declining performance.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears seem to be in a solid position to shoulder Cook’s contract, given their significant cap space. They also lack depth in the running back role. While David Montgomery was their top-performing running back last season, he was ranked as the 26th best back during 2022. Adding Cook could massively upgrade their team and add depth. The combination of Justin Fields and Dalvin Cook in play-action could be quite formidable.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ offense could use an injection of talent, despite Johnathan Taylor’s previous status as the top-rated NFL running back. With Taylor still on board, adding Cook would offer more depth to the Colts’ backfield and protect against potential injuries.
New York Jets
The Jets, with recently acquired QB star Aaron Rodgers, seem determined to seize a win-now approach. Their interest in trading for Dalvin Cook wouldn’t be surprising. They have a rising star in Breece Hall who, prior to a knee injury, had a stellar start in 2022. Although Hall is expected to recover fully, adding Cook would give the Jets insurance against a single injury disrupting their Super Bowl dreams.
FREE AGENCY DESTINATIONS
Miami Dolphins
One of the hot rumors at the moment links Cook to the Dolphins. They might lack the cap space to negotiate a trade for Cook, but if he is released from the Vikings, the Dolphins would likely vie to secure his skills at a lower price. They might not be able to offer Cook the most lucrative deal, but they could leverage their winning prospects. The Dolphins have a stellar lineup and, with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, they anticipate being in the run for the Lombardi.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals, despite recent affirmations of their commitment to retaining Joe Mixon, could be interested in Cook. After Mixon’s recent legal trouble, the team may reassess their Super Bowl prospects. If Cook were to become available via free agency, it would make sense for the Bengals to express interest.
Philadelphia Eagles
Having narrowly missed out on ultimate glory last season, it’s conceivable that the Philadelphia Eagles might target Cook if he’s released by the Vikings. The Eagles are now without Miles Sanders, who ranked among the top 10 in his position last season. His absence will be felt unless the team brings in a replacement of similar caliber. Although they attempted to fill the void left by Sanders with D’Andre Swift, he falls short of Cook’s prowess. If the Eagles are serious about another Super Bowl campaign, they should consider adding Cook if he becomes available.
