NEWSLETTER
The wait is over. The Minnesota Vikings have informed star running back Dalvin Cook of his release, a move long-anticipated. Multiple reports this morning confirm that Cook’s time in Minnesota has ended after six seasons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was among the first to report the news.
The theme of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has been getting younger and cheaper. Dalvin Cook joins veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks and wide receiver Adam Thielen as notable casualties of the new approach.
Minnesota has become comfortable with the idea of turning the bulk of the running back duties over to Alexander Mattison. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said last week that Mattison has taken ownership of the three-down role created by Cook’s absence from practice. A role that O’Connell believes Mattison has been “capable of for a long time.”
“Yeah, this spring, it’s been really good to see Alex Mattison take a few more reps and really show that all-three-down kind of ownership that he’s been capable of for a long time.”
The Vikings will owe Cook $2 million this year. By releasing him after June 1, the Vikings will save $9 million in cap space while taking on $5.1 million in dead cap in 2023.
As for Cook, while he turns 28 in August, he just played his first full season in 2022. Before 2022, Cook missed time due to injury every season. Cook had his second-most carries and rushing yards of his career in 2022. Still, the Vikings seem to be going in a younger, cheaper direction this offseason. So, the speculation that Cook’s time in Minnesota is ending is palpable.
According to Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos are two teams expected to have interest in Cook now that he is a free agent.
Cook is coming off a fourth straight 1,000-yard season and has 52 career touchdowns. The Pro Bowl running back racked up 5,993 yards during his time with the Vikings.
Speaking of the Vikings, and their roster trimming, they’ve also reportedly been taking calls on edge rusher Danielle Hunter in recent weeks.
