After communicating with Dalvin Cook in the days since his Vikings release, this market’s long-rumored frontrunner has extended an offer. The Dolphins made their first offer to Cook, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).
This is not the only offer Cook has received, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show the six-year veteran has received multiple proposals. Around a “half-dozen” teams are in this market, Pelissero adds (video link).
Cook, who has said he wants to land with a contending team that has a need at running back, is not believed to be mandating a deal be done before training camp. It would not surprise if Cook attempted to drag this process into August, as proven veterans are generally fine with avoiding the rigors of camp. An injury or a team viewing its backfield situation as insufficient during camp could change Cook’s market, but it seems significant interest exists now.
Miami has loomed as the Cook favorite for months; PFR readers widely expect the Florida State alum to sign there. The Dolphins discussed a Cook trade with the Vikings but ultimately stood down and waited for a release. Cook is a Miami native who has expressed interest in joining the Dolphins. That said, the longtime Viking should not be expected to take a discount to end up in South Florida, Pelissero adds. But it is not known who the other suitors are here.
Although Cook mentioned the Jets as a team he has been linked to, it is unclear if New York has reached out with contract terms. The Jets do not have a need for a starting running back, with Breece Hall expected to be back from ACL surgery by Week 1, though their depth does not match the Dolphins’. While Miami’s backfield is deeper than New York’s, Cook would be positioned as a starter for Mike McDaniel‘s team. The Dolphins re-signed ex-McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson and used a third-round pick on Texas A&M speedster Devon Achane. It would seem the Dolphins could get by without Cook, given Mostert and Wilson’s system fits. But Mostert is 31 and has run into major injury trouble in recent years. Wilson also missed a chunk of time in 2021 due to a foot injury.
While Pelissero also mentioned the Broncos and Patriots as potential destinations, neither has been connected to possessing genuine interest. The Broncos emerged as an early Cook suitor, with a report indicating Denver had monitored Cook for a stretch ahead of his release. But a subsequent report pegged the Broncos as a team more likely to stay out of this market.
Like the Jets, the Broncos have a starting back (Javonte Williams) coming off an ACL tear. Williams has made progress, participating in OTAs, and is expected to be ready by Week 1. Denver also signed Samaje Perine, who is on track to play a regular role in Sean Payton‘s offense. The Patriots did not re-sign Damien Harris or add a veteran backup to replace him; as of now, Rhamondre Stevenson is ticketed for a three-down role in his third season.
The Dolphins are not planning to make Cook an offer close to the $10.4MM base salary he was to earn with the Vikings, but if there are legitimately a handful of teams in the market, the six-year Minnesota starter is unlikely to be forced to settle for the low-cost deals Mostert, Wilson and Harris signed in March. It will be interesting to see how close Cook comes to the $10.4MM mark, as even with interest forming, he is a running back going into his age-28 season — and in free agency when teams’ budgets are largely depleted.
Mike McDaniel coming from SF knows what dynamic RB’s can do for an offense. If they get Cook to sign the deal they are going to take off in the AFC East. I have to imagine he will be in a rotational position with 3 RB already on the depth chart, so it’s not exactly what he wants, but he would still put up solid numbers if he stayed healthy.
What team out there right now can offer him the starting full time role he is requesting? I feel like he got released too late for that opportunity this year. If he signs with a team and plays well, he can move into a full time role, but most competitors are set with their starters or cannot afford Cook’s services.
The Bengals could always drop Mixon, saving 10 million and use half of that on Cook.
Half on Cook? He could have stayed in MN if he wanted to play for pennies. What is the NFL’s plan?
New NFL Rule:
Every year, have every team release their star RB’s and then every other team can just go and sign one of these released to a 1-year deal for less than what their respective back was asking for. It would keep the market down, and the teams would have all the power rather than just most of the power.
I mean who do these ungrateful RB’s think they are? Athletes? Professionals? In this country? I don’t think so. These RB’s better appreciate the fact that they have jobs, hell back in my day we didn’t even have a run game, had to walk 5 miles up hill both ways in the snow and we didn’t complain about it.
I am surprised that they didn’t start low-balling RB’s years ago, I think it is great for the sport.
Anyhow, back to reality. You get what you pay for…..
Lol… a contending team. A WC beat down is hardly contending….
Exactly. No team who lost the previous season in the playoffs should ever be considered a contender entering a new season. That’s just a good, sensible take.
If you do the math, I think you’ll see that only one team goes unbeaten through the playoffs. Does that mean there are no contenders among the other 31 teams?
Chargers??
Chargers teaming him up with Eckler to go 8-9 would be the most Chargers thing ever.
@stabby Dan Marinos last game was a 62-7 loss vs the Jags. That a pure definition of a “WC beat down”.
A 3 pt loss with a rookie 3rd string Qb and back up RB, on the road at Buffalo, is anything but a “WC beat down”.
Nice troll job though.
Dolphins held their own in that game. If they add Cook, and Tua stays upright, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
While that is true, thats a pretty big if on Tua.
If Cook goes to Miami there’s a very good chance the Dade County clowns…er cops, will charge him with something ridiculous before he even plays his first game for the Dolphins.
You don’t have to wait till cook to sign for MPD to do something ridiculously.
That’s a dumb comment
Why wouldn’t the Bengals be on him? Great fit plus he’s a good receiver.
Because the Bengals have to worry about paying Burrow and Tee Higgins. They can’t worry about tying up more cap space on a Running Back.
They could release Mixon and save 10 million
If it was only going to take 10MM annually, Cook would be signed.
Haha. There’s no way Cook gets anywhere close to 10 million. He’d be lucky to get half of that. Apparently you haven’t been paying attention, running backs are devalued. Especially a 27 year old with 1300 carries on his body
Cook will get about $8 million on a one-year deal. Depending on this season, he’ll have trouble repeating that.
He may get 8 million if they do cap gymnastics with voidable years but he will not be getting a flat 1 year for 8 million. Nobody needs a running back that bad. If he were a WR, I’d agree but you’ve seen the market for running backs, especially those that are 27. The tag is only 10 million. I don’t see anyone giving up 80% of a tag.
Does Cook really think the Dolphins are a contender with Mike White at quarterback?