One of several running backs from the 2017 draft class in talks regarding a new contact, Dalvin Cook made a move Monday to hopefully expedite proceedings.
The Vikings running back will no longer participate in team-related activities until he receives a “reasonable” deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Cook and the Vikes have begun negotiations, and the fourth-year running back has now pledged to sit out training camp if he and the team cannot agree on an extension, Schefter adds.
This is not exactly an unforeseen development. Cook is following Ezekiel Elliott‘s playbook from last year. The Cowboys running back participated in some of his team’s OTAs — when they were not virtual — before reconsidering and pledging to skip training camp. He did, and the tactic led to an extension. Cook has one year remaining on his contract and would normally possess a bit more leverage because he was not a first-round pick. Elliott had two years left on his rookie deal at the time.
Cook, however, is preparing a holdout on a different CBA — one that includes harsher penalties for skipping training camp workouts. Players will lose an accrued season toward free agency by not reporting to camp on time. Elliott bypassed the previous accrued-season deadline last year, however. Additionally, teams can no longer eliminate fines for players who skip camp, and said fines are now heftier. On a second-round contract, Cook has not accumulated what Elliott did through three years and is set to make just $1.3MM in 2020. This would be a bold move from the Vikings back.
The Vikings have not been shy about handing out extensions. In addition to the numerous re-ups they authorized for defenders from 2016-19 — several of which coming in the late summer — the Vikes extended Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in 2018 and ’19, respectively. Kirk Cousins also signed an extension this year.
Minnesota drafted Alexander Mattison in the third round last year; the rookie produced in a limited capacity. Cook earned his first Pro Bowl nod, shattering career-high marks with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. But for a third straight year, he experienced injury trouble. That will play into the Vikings’ talks with their standout back.
Nothing says I’m a team player more than skipping team activities
No doubt. Talked the talk, now demanding CMC $. BS. He ain’t no CMC. 10M Derrick Henry money at best.
He should sit out until the queens decide to get him a real QB to play behind.
yea like holding out work so well for bell
And if they don’t give him one it’s prob cuz of racial profiling cuz mccafry got one
cuck
Consider thinking prior to posting
…says the biggest jack*** on the internet. I don’t understand how “burrow is a bust” hasn’t been suspended. Nothing but ridiculous garbage spewing out of his mouth on every post he makes. It’s so sad that this is his only way of getting attention
While i agree, its the same as someone holding a blm sign and hating whites. Its expression.
Why are y’all even responding? This comment was so nonsensical that it takes more energy to comprehend than it does to reply. Just ignore the guy, his comments don’t even make sense.
“Wage Holdout” would be a great name for a bong villain.
Bond or bong?
Both work
Lol whoops.
Nah man, it works either way.
One has a lot more action
Obviously there are no newspapers or other media outlets where Cook lives. Could there be a worse time to demand millions of dollars? What a tool! I have about had it with all professional sports. I don’t miss it.
ive said it before and ill say it again, why should any current events mean someone shouldn’t demand to be paid what they are worth.
As in EVERY business, both employee and employer can have vastly different opinions that determine what in their own minds what an employee is worth. Funny, in my own case, when I was out of a job, I willingly took a position that required: a lengthy commute, being paid less than what a previous employer paid me ( and less than what I felt I was worth), had me working for a boss less qualified than myself and working in an absolute pit of a facility.
Hopefully something better comes along for you soon!
It was many years ago.
After 20 years with a stagnating company I moved on.
Then, 4 employers in a row (the above was 2nd) resulted in job elimination due to management change, ownership change, job relocation and budget cuts.
well you gotta be smart about it. since the last RB to do this it didnt go so well. now bell with the jets and making not as much as i bet he thought he get
Why should the team be willing to give a new contract to a guy who cannot stay healthy…while he’s STILL under contract? He should prove he’s worth what he thinks he’s worth before making such demands. At least Elliot had 2 legs to stand on, along with a history of outstanding performance.
hey, im not saying they should give him a new contract, or even that i approve of holdouts in general. (i dont) im just saying that current non-football events should have no bearing on whether or not Cook should holdout.
Fair point, DarkSide. This stuff happens every year. I suppose the original post referred to the virus, which makes sense, but football players (and the agents driving their decisions mostly) make these same decisions every year.
HE AINT WORTH 16MIL YOU DOLT!!
Here is a simple fix for all athletes that want more money…..sign one year deals and get revalued every year. They all want long term deals but by year two of those deals scream they are underpaid. It’s the only way to get paid what you feel you are wo
Long term deals with GUARENTEED MONEY!!!!
bestno5…totally agree with you.
The dude basically sat out two years and wants a raise? That’s not how life works sadly.
Not that he’s not worth way more money but availability is also part of an employees value.
Here’s the thing, while talented, he isn’t the entire offense. You’d rather have him there than not considering Diggs is gone but I think he’s making a mistake. He’s definitely worth more than his salary but he’s also only got one season worth of production. It’s a hard place to negotiate from.
I don’t think he’s wrong for wanting more. I just find it hard to believe he’ll get more. Melvin Gordon was definitely going to get a big contract until he didn’t. And he was much more productive than cook. I just don’t see the sense of costing yourself money.
He will be just fine. I’m sure he got himself a few nice flatscreen TVs over the last week or so
Again, please think before posting.
The post makes sense so please think period
Wow…I guess “burrow is a bust” has another account. Or are they two different completely ignorant people? It’s because of people like this that we see the “comments are turned off” messages for some postings
oh can you not? neither appropriate nor funny. just a terrible, terrible comment.
Does he just want a contract that pays him for the first half of the season cause he’s either hurt or inefficient once the season wears on
So basically he’s hoping he can join Stefanski in Cleveland.
He is doing it now, because they will franchise him next year, so in essence they get 2 years of a great RB for the price of 1 (not still on his rookie deal). They are gambling with his body. It is his body, his bank account he can do what he wants, people shouldn’t judge him for trying to get what he feels he deserves. Amazing how people on the internet just want to sit behind a keyboard and talk trash about others.
Great, hell no! Hurt every year doesn’t make a great back!
All of you should learn that there is no cure for being stupid!! He sits, then he sits. Vikes still own his contract
He’s easily replaceable. Heck, any RB that can actually get on the field has more value.
as these comments reinforce, nothing makes white men angrier than a black man knowing his worth
Brilliant. Just brilliant. That’s just what we need right now…another person making stupid, insensitive remarks that paint an entire race as “all being the same”. Isn’t that a big reason why we are in this situation in the first place? Way to fuel the fire, Landis. You’re part of the problem
racism works both ways man. generalization is a classic and common example of it, such as what you are saying.
There are white people on this board?
Always irks me when players hold out while under contract. After the season when the contract you signed is up? Have at it.
Extending RB’s past their rookie contract is just bad business. So very few are actually productive throughout half the contract, much less all of it. For every Emmitt Smith there are a hundred McCoys, Murrays, Freemans and the like. Even Smith only had one good post rookie contract and his next two were total busts.
Draft RB’s and play them while they are young, fresh and relatively cheap. Spend your post rookie contract dollars on positions with more longevity and a higher draft miss rate.
I thought Cook said that he wasn’t going to hold out at some point right after the season ended. I mean, why do it? The Vikings have been very good at resigning their own.