Free agent running back Dalvin Cook has been on the open market for over a week, and indications are that the former Minnesota Vikings player was available for several months prior to his release. While the 27-year-old’s market has been slow to develop, a case could be made that the four-time 1,000-yard rusher remains one of the top-ten players at his position in the NFL today.
So what’s up with Cook’s free agency market? How come the still-talented back has yet to find a new home since his June 9 release from the Vikings after six NFL seasons?
There are several different theories, and even the RB himself says he’s in no rush to sign as he seeks the right opportunity, yet there could be a hidden reason most haven’t considered yet.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has sources within the NFL who have indicated Cook could be waiting until July 17 to sign a new contract. Why the 17th? Because this is when the NFL’s franchise tag negotiation window closes.
It’s a key date for running backs specifically, as there are currently three who have received the franchise tag but have yet to ink a long-term agreement with their organizations. This impacts Dallas with Tony Pollard, New York with Saquon Barkley, and Las Vegas with Josh Jacobs, all of whom have been tagged.
Pollard signed his offer fairly quickly, but Barkley and Jacobs weren’t as excited and could even hold out from the team during training camp barring a better, long-term offer.
Here’s what Fowler had to say on the matter during his appearance on SportsCenter:
“He’s in a little bit of a wait-and-see mode right now. No official visits to teams that I’m aware of, and we talk about the franchise tag with [Saquon] Barkley, Cook can actually wait until July 17 [to sign], I’m told, because you’ve got three running backs on the franchise tag—Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs.”
NFL insider on Dalvin Cook’s free agency
So far Cook hasn’t taken any visits. By the sound of it, he’s not too concerned about finding a new home. After being unwilling to take a pay cut in Minnesota, Cook wants to sign a contract that reflects his value on the field, and in the locker room. Just what type of contract offer that might be remains to be seen.
Related: Why Dalvin Cook and the NFL’s top running backs will be facing reduced paydays