The one team known to have discussed a trade with the Vikings for Dalvin Cook is not believed to be out of the running for the Pro Bowl back. The Dolphins remain interested in bringing the veteran back to South Florida.
No trade is in place between the teams, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, but it is expected the Dolphins will have interest if the Vikings move on via release. A South Florida native who played at Florida State, Cook, 27, is also expected to view Miami as an appealing destination were he to be cut, Jackson adds.
Cook is tied to a five-year, $63MM extension — agreed to just before the 2020 season, during Rick Spielman‘s lengthy tenure as the Vikings’ front office boss — that calls for a $10.4MM 2023 base salary and a $14.1MM cap hit. Both figures are in the top four at running back this year. The Dolphins, understandably, would not be expected to give Cook a salary close to that number, Jackson adds.
Trade talks between the Vikings and Dolphins commenced in March, but with no deal coming to pass, Miami made a steady effort to establish backfield continuity. Ex-Mike McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson re-signed, as did Myles Gaskin. Even after those signings, Cook stayed on Miami’s radar. But, after spending extensive time with Texas A&M prospect Devon Achane, the Dolphins drafted him in the third round. Miami did not spend much to retain Mostert and Wilson, signing them both to two-year deals that contain less than $3MM guaranteed apiece. Gaskin did not receive any guaranteed money.
Despite adding Wilson at the trade deadline, the Dolphins ranked 25th in rushing last season. Cook would undoubtedly upgrade Miami’s backfield — for 2023, at least — while giving the Dolphins a much deeper position group compared to the Vikings. Minnesota appears prepared to go with longtime Cook backup Alexander Mattison as its starter. That might represent a downgrade in terms of peak production, but it would come at a steep discount as well. Mattison signed a two-year, $7MM deal that is nearly fully guaranteed.
Just $2MM of Cook’s salary is locked in for this year, but since the former second-round pick is a vested veteran, the entire $10.4MM would become the Vikings’ responsibility if he is on their roster come Week 1. With that unlikely to happen, the question will be whether the Vikings move on via trade or release. (Cook agreeing to a pay cut and likely a role reduction to stay in Minnesota is not entirely off the table, either.) With the Dolphins seemingly the lead suitor, it would make sense for the team to wait for a release and pursue the seventh-year veteran in free agency.
With Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle still tied to rookie-deal salaries, Cook could fit in as a 2023 Dolphins hired gun. Tagovailoa’s pay spikes in 2024, thanks to the fifth-year option the Dolphins quickly exercised this offseason, and the team has Tyreek Hill tied to a receiver-record contract. For now, Hill’s $30MM-per-year deal is the only notable expense at the QB or skill spots in Miami. Though, Cedrick Wilson‘s $8MM-per-year contract remains on the books. The Dolphins are believed to be open to trading the ex-Cowboy, however. The team separated from 2022 franchise tag recipient Mike Gesicki in March.
Cook, who has four 1,100-yard rushing seasons on his resume, would be an interesting addition for one of the many contenders in a loaded AFC. For now, the Dolphins look to be interested observers in the Vikings’ decision-making at running back.
If Tua can stay healthy Miami will be a dangerous team
I wonder what is really bothering the Vikings about Cook? Not sure he’s still worth $10-14 million, but so what if they overpay him a little as insurance for the as-yet-untested Mattison. I think the Vikings let that 13-4 record go to their heads, as their roster is really only 8 or 9 wins deep.
I wonder the same. Cook certainly is pushing their cap, but you have to wonder where that production will come from on a contending team. None of the Vikings’ moves indicate that they are looking at rebuilding this year (and it would be refreshing to see a team ditch the extreme rebuild versus contending dichotomy and instead try to remain steadily competitive in an old school way, but that’s another topic). They are championship hopefuls, not cellar dwellers, despite their needs. Adding rushing to that list seems to hurt that cause.
I don’t know if the Vikings offered Cook a new contract and we’re rebuffed, or if they just decided to hand over the job to Mattison, but Cook is still just 27 and the perceived eagerness to be rid of him seems rushed given the Vikings’ expectations.
Indeed. Feels like a weird move now.
Could be that the Vikings are a little concerned over the shoulder injury Cook has had trouble with over the years. He wears a brace on it during games to keep it from becoming dislocated. Or maybe it’s the knee he blew out earlier in his career. The guy still has game breaking skills and I think it’s a definite downgrade going to Mattison. Also have to start preparing for a record breaking contract for Jefferson in the very near future.
Possibly. That actually would make more sense, but you still wonder a little about the planning. They have probably one more year with Jefferson before the contract situation rears its head, but Cousins has a strong possibility of only being around one more year anyway. Given that the Vikes are likely headed into the last year of that setup, you’d think that they’d stick with one last year of Dalvin Cook to try and go all in. If they are worried about Cook’s effectiveness with those injuries as you said, it makes much more sense, but still does feel like a downgrade.
It makes me think that Minnesota should have planned for a more proven replacement for Cook at that spot, especially given that they did not pick a HB until the seventh.
It’s been said that he has not wanted to restructure his contract, so there is that. Gambling on himself in some ways. He did finally have the surgery to repair the shoulder. He wore the brace to be able to keep playing with the injury. I agree on the the Mattison comment. He’s good, but Cook has that 0-100 quickness getting through little gaps; that said, RBs don’t age well.
Could be that the Vikings are a little wary of the shoulder injury Cook has played with for a few seasons. He wears a brace during games to keep it from dislocating. Or maybe the knee he blew out earlier in his career is a concern. Regardless, Mattison is a downgrade from Cook. But the Vikings also have to start preparing for a record breaking contract for Jefferson in the very near future.
Is Miami copying the Rams’ formula? Lots of picks traded for vets. Certainly builds excitement for the fans.
I don’t understand why teams don’t give Jeff Wilson more reps/confidence. He’s a very reliable power back that’s inventive in finding ways to get first downs no matter what.
He’s rather un-rated IMHO.