The Minnesota Vikings have been in cost-cutting mode ahead of the start of NFL free agency next week. Fresh off a solid 2022 season that ended in a premature playoff exit, Minnesota currently finds itself $14.9 million over the cap. That value includes the release of All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks.
There have now been several reports indicating that Minnesota might opt to move off Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook via a trade or release. Cook is set to count $14.1 million against the cap. Moving off him ahead of June 1 would save Minnesota nearly $8 million against the cap.
According to this note from KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Minnesota has already received at least one trade offer for the Pro Bowl running back.
“I did hear that there is an offer in on Dalvin Cook. So if they wanted to trade Dalvin Cook, there is an interested team. You look at the running back market, there’s not a whole lot there, depending on what you think of Miles Sanders. David Montgomery is OK. Alexander Mattison is OK.”
Report on Minnesota Vikings receiving Dalvin Cook trade inquiry
This really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Since Minnesota selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Cook has been among the most consistent running backs in the game.
- Dalvin Cook stats (2022): 264 attempts, 1,173 rushing yards, 4.4 average, 39 receptions, 295 receiving yards, 1,468 total yards, 10 TD
Cook, 27, has put up as much as 1,383 total yards in each of the past four years, earning a Pro Bowl spot each season. There’s going to be interest in his services.
Related: Ideal Dalvin Cook trade scenarios from the Minnesota Vikings
With that said, the Florida State product is not interested in redoing his contract. That could complicate things with an acquiring team having to pay out a $10.4 million base salary in 2023 as well as a combined $24.8 million over the next two seasons.
As for the running back market and whether the Minnesota Vikings can get value for Cook, it’s pretty watered down in free agency. Reigning NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs joined the likes of Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard in having the franchise tag placed on them earlier this week.
In terms of what a Dalvin Cook trade would mean for the Minnesota Vikings, the idea would be to re-sign the aforementioned Alexander Mattison on a team-friendly deal. The former third-round pick has tallied 1,670 rushing yards at a clip of 4.1 yards per tote throughout his four-year career.