Dalvin Cook

Cowboys To Sign RB Dalvin Cook

Linked to the Cowboys at multiple junctures over the past several months, Dalvin Cook is finally on track to join the team. Dallas is adding the former Minnesota Pro Bowler, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Cook worked out for the Cowboys earlier this week, and while DLLS Sports’ Clarence Hill notes the team eyed the eighth-year RB on the practice squad, this union will nevertheless commence. Veterans who join teams late in the summer or during the season regularly latch on via P-squad agreements — with eventual promotions to follow. This is indeed a P-squad agreement, per ESPN.com’s Todd Archer, with the Cowboys will see how Cook looks in Mike McCarthy‘s scheme soon.

While this will also reunite Cook with longtime Vikings HC Mike Zimmer, the new Cowboys DC will not exactly be overseeing him this time around. Cook, 29, arrived during Zimmer’s Minnesota tenure and played five seasons for the since-fired leader. He joins a running back room that seemed short-staffed on cutdown day.

Dallas let Tony Pollard walk after a moderately disappointing season — at least compared to his 2022 Pro Bowl campaign — and the five-year Cowboys contributor scored a three-year Titans deal. The Cowboys were linked to Texas prospect Jonathon Brooks ahead of Day 2, but not only did the team not end up with the former Bijan Robinson Longhorns backup, it stood down altogether in the draft. This preceded a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott, who is still counting as dead money on Dallas’ payroll from the post-June 1 cut the team made in 2023. Elliott is certainly past his prime, but as of now, the former rushing champion is slated to lead Dallas’ RB committee.

If Elliott is past his prime, it is safe to say Cook is as well. Riding four straight 1,100-yard rushing seasons going into his Jets stay, the former second-round pick struggled as the team’s Breece Hall bridge and completed by far his worst season. The Jets ended up cutting Cook, who finished the campaign as a Ravens reserve. Cook averaged just 3.2 yards per carry as a Jet (67/214); he had never dropped below 4.4 in a season with the Vikings.

The Cowboys were still linked to Cook between his Jets and Ravens tenures, and they resurfaced on this radar in March. Both Cook and Elliott were interested in joining the team; the club went with familiarity at that point. Elliott’s 2,421 career touches lead all active running backs, but Cook’s 1,585 sit fifth on that list. That said, Elliott fared better than Cook in 2023. The one-and-done Patriot accumulated 955 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, playing initially as Rhamondre Stevenson‘s backup and then returning to a starting role once the Pats’ RB1 went down late in the season.

Dallas also rosters 2023 Pollard backup Rico Dowdle, who has been with the team for five years, and kept diminutive former sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn as its third-stringer. Cook stands to compete for playing time in this Elliott-led committee, with this potentially being the four-time Pro Bowler’s last shot at a regular RB gig.

Last year, the Cowboys steadily evaluated Martavis Bryant on their practice squad. That did not produce any game action. Given the state of Dallas’ RB room and Cook not being a special case like Bryant — who has not played a regular-season game since 2018 — would point to a P-squad stay being shorter. If Cook is not bumped up to the Cowboys’ 53-man roster early in the season, it would be indicative of the talented ball-carrier deemed too far past his peak.

Cook was believed to have scheduled an additional workout, per Machota, and Hill floated the Colts as the other team showing interest. Indianapolis’ backup situation is thin post-Zack Moss, with ex-49ers washout Trey Sermon in position to be Jonathan Taylor‘s top reserve. But the Cowboys will cut off any route elsewhere, giving the once-dynamic back another shot.

Cowboys Meeting With RB Dalvin Cook

Moving on from Tony Pollard, the Cowboys exited training camp with an interesting running back situation. A post-prime Ezekiel Elliott is back, but the team will consider another veteran back who has been on the radar previously.

Dalvin Cook is heading to Dallas for a meeting tonight, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Cook did not look especially good with the Jets and did not see much action with the Ravens, halting his momentum after a strong run in Minnesota. He will try to catch on with a Cowboys team that has big backfield questions to answer.

A March report indicated Cook joined Elliott in having interest in joining the team. The Cowboys had also come up as an interested party late in the season. The long-rumored Elliott return did come to pass, and he now leads what looks like a post-Pollard committee. Dallas also rosters Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn. The team has not set its final roster yet, and Cook resurfacing four months after expressing interest is notable — even on the heels of by far his worst season.

Stepping in as a Jets bridge while Breece Hall finished his ACL rehab, Cook totaled 214 yards on 67 carries. That 3.2-yard average marked Cook’s only time under 4.4 in a season as a pro. He came into the 2023 season riding the NFL’s only active string of four 1,100-yard rushing seasons, but at 29, the 2017 second-round pick is hovering on the league’s fringes.

Cook did undergo shoulder surgery to address a years-long issue last winter. Unless he can show form that proves last season was an outlier, the Florida State alum is moving toward retirement. He exited 2023 with 1,585 career touches. The Cowboys already employ the back with the most active touches, as Elliott has logged 2,421 in his eight-year career. Among backs currently on rosters, only five have accumulated more touches than Cook.

The seven-year vet sought a Jets trade before being cut last year, as Hall returned to form quickly. It would be difficult for Cook to land in a better situation, as the Cowboys have made three straight playoff berths and made minimal investments at running back this offseason.

RB Dalvin Cook Receiving Interest

Dalvin Cook remains one of the top running backs on the open market. No agreement is imminent at this point, but he does appear to be on the radar of potential new teams.

When speaking about his ongoing free agency, Cook said he has been “taking calls” from teams eyeing an addition in the backfield. The four-time Pro Bowler’s value obviously took a hit in 2023, a season in which he hardly saw the field. Cook’s Jets tenure involved just 67 scoreless carries and it ended in less than one year. His Ravens stint also consisted of sparse usage.

“Just really focusing on myself,” Cook said (video link via Aaron Wilson of KPR2). “Getting ready for training camp, getting ready for what’s coming up next. For me, like you said, patience is the key. Right now the only thing I’m really focusing on is getting myself in tip-top shape to really tote the rock come the fall.”

Cook said last month he feels his light 2023 workload should allow him to return to his previous form this year. He topped 1,100 rushing yards and averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry each season from 2019-22 with the Vikings. No acquiring team will likely expect a repeat of those figures in 2024, but Cook could prove to be an effective addition this late in the offseason.

As the 28-year-old said, he is still not urgently pursuing an agreement. He waited until mid-August last offseason to secure a one-year Jets deal. Especially considering how that arrangement played out, it would come as no surprise if teams moved slowly in considering a Cook signing this time around. A role should nevertheless await him on a new team by the time the regular season begins.

Dalvin Cook Discusses Free Agency

Dalvin Cook‘s 2023 campaign didn’t go as planned, with the former Pro Bowler struggling to carve out a role in the Jets offense. As a result, it’s been relatively quiet for the veteran free agent, but that doesn’t mean the 28-year-old is treating this offseason any differently.

In a conversation with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Cook said he’s feeling great and is confident he can still be a productive offensive weapon. In fact, he also believes his limited run in New York will only benefit him in 2024.

“I’ve got it all,” Cook said. “The tools are still here. I didn’t really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resume speaks for itself. I’m still Dalvin Cook. I’m still that guy. For me, I don’t like to toot my own horn. I just like to go out there, put my helmet on and line up on the grass.”

Cook’s six-year stint in Minnesota ended with his release last offseason. Despite topping 1,300 yards from scrimmage each season between 2019 and 2022, it took the veteran until mid-August to catch on with the Jets, where he was expected to form a two-headed monster in the backfield with Breece Hall.

Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury quickly changed things, with the offense failing to find consistency throughout the 2023 campaign. As a result, the team leaned heavily on Hall, pushing Cook to a true backup role. The running back only started one of his 15 appearances for the Jets, finishing with 292 yards from scrimmage and zero touchdowns.

Cook and the Jets parted ways late in the season, and he caught on with the Ravens for the postseason. He garnered eight touches in his one playoff appearance, finishing with 23 yards.

While there’s been plenty of movement in this year’s RB free agency class, Cook hasn’t attracted a whole lot of interest. There were rumors that the running back was interested in joining the Cowboys, but it was uncertain if that interest was reciprocated by the organization. Regardless of where he ends up, Cook is confident that he’ll be able to contribute to any running backs room.

“Yeah, you always have to be prepared for the opportunity,” Cook said. “For me, I’m a veteran in the league. I know what it takes to be successful in this league. I know who Dalvin Cook is and I know how I want to perform and what I want to do. Like you said, stay ready so you ain’t got to get ready.”

Cowboys To Make RB Addition; Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook Interested In Deal?

With Tony Pollard no longer in the picture, the Cowboys are an obvious candidate to draft a running back next month. A veteran signing before then would come as little surprise, though, and a pair of high-profile names could be eyeing a Dallas agreement.

When speaking at the league meetings, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) Dallas will be making at least one addition at the RB spot. The Cowboys retained Rico Dowdle, who finished second on the team in rushing yards last season. Dallas also has 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn in the backfield, but an experienced option would be a welcomed addition to take the place of Pollard.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook “have interest in potentially signing” with the Cowboys. In the former’s case, a deal would of course represent a reunion. Elliott spent his first seven seasons with Dallas, twice leading the league in rushing during that span. His efficiency began to wane over time, though, and by the end of his Cowboys stint he was used more as a short-yardage specialist than a true lead back.

The Cowboys, as expected, released the former No. 4 pick last offseason with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. Elliott signed a one-year pact with the Patriots, and he split time with Rhamondre Stevenson for much of the year. Elliott saw a career-low 184 carries in 2023, and his 3.5 yards per attempt average was also the worst figure of his NFL tenure. Especially in a year which saw several high-end backs quickly land new deals, it comes as no surprise the 28-year-old (who, in fairness, drew trade interest at the deadline) is still on the market.

Cook likewise endured a disappointing season in 2023 after seeing his long-term Vikings tenure come to an end. After being let go by Minnesota, a lengthy free agent process ensued. Cook ultimately joined the Jets, but he struggled to carve out a role alongside Breece Hall in the backfield. New York waived the 28-year-old in January, setting up a brief audition period with the Ravens.

Baltimore used Cook sparingly in the postseason, and with Derrick Henry now in place a re-up with another veteran can be considered unlikely. Plenty of snaps will presumably be available in Dallas for Elliott, Cook or another experienced back looking for a new deal. Dallas would of course still be expected to use a Day 2 or 3 pick on a back during the draft even with a veteran signing, but with $6.7MM in cap space the team can afford a low-cost addition at the position.

Ravens Waive RB Melvin Gordon, Sign RB Dalvin Cook To Active Roster

JANUARY 18: To little surprise, Gordon’s roster spot has indeed gone to Cook. The latter has been promoted from the practice squad and he will play in the divisional round on Saturday, per his agency. It will be interesting to see how much usage Cook receives as the third option on the depth chart behind Edwards and Hill in his Baltimore debut. If he clears waivers, meanwhile, Gordon will be eligible to remain with the Ravens via the taxi squad.

JANUARY 17: The Ravens have been clearing plenty of roster space over the past few days in the lead up to their first game in this year’s playoffs. In the most recent roster shift, Baltimore made the decision to waive veteran running back Melvin Gordon from the 53-man roster.

Gordon signed with the Ravens back in the offseason, adding running back depth for a team that had seen two starters in J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards go down with season-ending injuries in recent years. He failed to make the 53-man roster but ended up signing to the practice squad as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option. That glass broke fairly early in the season when Dobbins suffered his second-career season-ending injury in Week 1 of the regular season.

As a result, the Ravens called Gordon up from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation twice early in the year. The eventual emergence of undrafted rookie sensation Keaton Mitchell, pairing with Edwards, made Gordon mostly superfluous, but a season-ending ACL tear to Mitchell would continue Baltimore’s rotten luck with running back health.

With Mitchell joining Dobbins on injured reserve, Gordon was officially signed to the active roster for the last two weeks of the season, earning snaps in a blowout win over the Dolphins and a meaningless rest game in Week 18 against the Steelers. His performance against Pittsburgh came shortly after the team’s free agent addition of Dalvin Cook. In a rainy regular season finale, Gordon unfortunately demonstrated one of the biggest issues throughout his career, fumbling the ball in what was likely an audition for the postseason roster.

Whether or not a direct result of that fumble, Gordon will not be on the 53-man roster this weekend. Along with the waiving of wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and the placement of cornerback Damarion Williams on IR two days ago, the Ravens now have three open spots on the active roster. Many are speculating that star tight end Mark Andrews will soon be making a return from IR, joining with Isaiah Likely to form one of the league’s deadlier tight end duos. Former All-Pro return man Devin Duvernay has also returned to practice and is eligible to make a return from IR. Lastly, with cornerback Marlon Humphrey not practicing over the last three weeks, the team could opt to activate defensive back Ar’Darius Washington from IR. Originally an undrafted safety out of TCU, Washington opened the season as the team’s starting nickel corner before finding his way to IR.

Another popular thought, especially with Edwards and Justice Hill remaining as the only running backs on the active roster, is that one of the three open roster spots will be used to bring Cook up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Despite having made the Pro Bowl in four consecutive years as the Vikings’ starting rusher, Cook took a disappointing backseat to Breece Hall for the Jets this year. Cook claimed to be really close to signing with Baltimore in the offseason, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, and he got a second chance after New York decided to move on from him earlier this month.

Whether Andrews or Cook or Duvernay or Washington, the Ravens are set to add some key reinforcements in time for the Divisional Round matchup against the Texans. Baltimore will have until 4pm EST on Friday to make the decision on who will be activated for Saturday’s game.

Dalvin Cook, Ravens Agree To Terms

Rumored as a Dalvin Cook suitor, the Ravens will indeed bring the former Pro Bowler into the fold. Cook is committing to Baltimore, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

Cook commanded considerable interest this offseason, but he struggled with the Jets. The Ravens, however, have lost two key backs for the season. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 1, while explosive rookie Keaton Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month. Unclaimed on the waiver wire, Cook will move into position alongside Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. This will be a practice squad agreement to start, ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley tweets.

Baltimore has managed to build a strong offense despite key losses. Dobbins has not been available for nearly four months, while Mitchell only played in eight games. The Ravens have also been without Mark Andrews since mid-November. But the 13-3 team has done its best work without this trio, beating the 49ers and Dolphins convincingly over the past two games. Cook will, however, provide intriguing depth. This season’s issues notwithstanding, the former Vikings star does have a long track record of success.

Cook, 28, spent more than two months in free agency following his Vikings release. Countless rumors emerged connecting him to teams, mostly in the AFC East. The Jets beat out the Dolphins for the talented ball carrier, but he did not make much of an impact. Breece Hall was ready to go in Week 1, and the 2022 second-round pick put any timeshare thoughts to bed early. Cook has amassed just 214 yards on 67 carries this season, becoming an afterthought during another disappointing Jets season.

The 67 carries did not exactly add much to Cook’s odometer, and he only took double-digit handoffs in one game (Week 1) this season. That said, his career carry total is over 1,300 now. Cook’s 1,349 career totes rank sixth among active backs. Baltimore now employs two players in that top six, with Melvin Gordon at 1,586. Gordon has not played much of a role with the team this season, totaling 63 yards on 19 carries in three games. Cook may soon leapfrog the ninth-year veteran as well. He will have more than two weeks until Baltimore’s divisional-round game to cram in Todd Monken‘s offense.

Gordon has spent time on Baltimore’s practice squad this season but currently resides on the team’s active roster. Jake Funk and Owen Wright represent the running back contingent on the Ravens’ P-squad. It would seem one of the three non-Edwards-Hill runners would need to go to make room for Cook.

The Jets have seen offensive line injuries impact their offense, and the Aaron Rodgers setback obviously defined Gang Green’s season. Cook has still flashed underwhelming form, especially considering how productive he was in Minnesota. Coming into the season, Cook was the NFL’s only back to total at least 1,100 rushing yards each year from 2019-22. He posted 1,173 yards (4.4 per tote) and eight touchdowns with the Vikings last season, doing so despite a nagging shoulder injury. Cook underwent offseason surgery, though his Twin Cities form has yet to resurface. Last season, Cook also rated in the bottom third in Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric.

Unloading Mecole Hardman at the deadline, New York also attempted to trade Cook. The four-time Pro Bowler pursued an exit as well, though he stood down after the deadline. The latter’s $7MM base salary made that difficult, and he continued to languish on the bench as the Jets trudged through another season defined by Zach Wilson‘s failure to develop. The Cowboys explored a potential Cook addition, and the Ravens took a chance on no team claiming Cook’s salary (which amounted to a final game check) on waivers. No one did, and the team that clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed landed him.

Cook played a key role in helping the 2019 Vikings to the divisional round and elevating the ’22 squad to an unexpected NFC North title. The Ravens are highly unlikely to be eyeing Cook as a starter, but the team will explore him as a complementary piece as it attempts to book its first Super Bowl berth in 11 years.

RB Dalvin Cook Goes Unclaimed On Waivers

JANUARY 4: The seventh-year veteran went unclaimed on waivers Thursday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Aiming to sign with a contender, Cook is now free to negotiate with any team as a free agent. He does not have much momentum, but the Ravens and Cowboys have surfaced as potential landing spots.

JANUARY 2: Nearing the end of a disappointing campaign for both team and player, the Jets are moving on from Dalvin Cook. The Pro Bowl back is being waived, per his agency.

As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes, this decision was a mutual one. Cook saw a smaller workload than expected after he elected to join New York in August. That agreement was a one-year contract, and he appeared to provide a veteran option to complement Breece Hall on a Jets offense which faced significant expectations. Things have not gone according to plan for either Cook or his employer, however.

The 28-year-old has not found a notable role in New York’s attack, receiving double-digit carries only once this season. He has averaged 4.5 attempts per contest this season, by far the lowest of his carer. On the lookout for a fresh start, Cook asked for a trade ahead of this year’s deadline. By that point, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had suffered a season-ending Achilles tear and Hall had proven his ability to recover in full from last year’s ACL tear. No deal emerged, though, and Cook remained a minor contributor on one of the league’s least-productive units through Week 16.

A report from last month stated the longtime Vikings starter would not ask for a larger share in the offense or to be let go. In spite of that, he will now have the opportunity to join a new team by being claimed off waivers or signing with a playoff-bound club. To help make his arrival more feasible from a financial standpoint, Cook has agreed to restructure his pact and forfeit his remaining guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When on the field with the Jets, Cook did not make the impact many expected he would. The four-time Pro Bowler has not topped the 59 scrimmage yards he posted in Week 1 in any game since, averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. He has not found the end zone in 2023 after scoring double-digit touchdowns in three of the past four years. Increased age (especially within the context of the RB position) and financial factors led to Cook’s Minnesota release, a move which has now proven to be a shrewd one.

In spite of Cook’s struggles this season, he will still offer a veteran backfield presence to any team in need of depth ahead of a postseason run. Presuming he clears waivers, the Florida State alum will be free to join any interested team. Helping a new squad’s postseason run would help in the immediate future, but it could also rebuild his free agent stock to an extent.

The Dolphins were heavily involved in pursuing Cook, going as far as to submit an offer for him before his decision to join the Jets. A homecoming for the Miami native could be on tap in advance of the postseason if interest from team and player still exists. In any case, Cook will be in a new home the next time he takes the field in the NFL.

Ravens, Cowboys Interested In Dalvin Cook?

Dalvin Cook saw his brief and underwhelming Jets tenure come to an end yesterday. As a result, he is on the waiver wire until Thursday afternoon. A free agent agreement with a playoff-bound team (presuming he clears) would come as little surprise.

Suitors in that regard may be emerging. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Ravens and Cowboys are among the teams which could consider adding the four-time Pro Bowl running back. No firm interest appears to be in place at this point, and that will likely remain the case until Cook clears waivers. Still, both teams would represent logical landing spots if a deal were to emerge.

As Anderson notes, Baltimore would specifically be eyeing Cook as a practice squad addition (although the same will likely be true for Dallas and any other interested parties). Players added to the taxi squad can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times without occupying a 53-man roster spot, something of particular importance in the postseason.

The Ravens lead the league in rushing this season, averaging nearly 160 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has accounted for for a large portion of that success, however, and the team finds itself thin in the backfield late in the year. Starter J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season to an Achilles tear in Week 1, though undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell burst onto the scene midway through the campaign. The latter took on an increased workload upon entering the lineup, and he averaged 8.4 yards per carry in his brief stretch of action.

However, Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month, sidelining him until 2024. The Ravens will therefore depend largely on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill at the RB spot in the postseason. Cook could attempt to carve out a limited role in Baltimore’s backfield while looking to boost his free agent stock in the process.

The Cowboys have not been as strong as expected on the ground this season, the first full campaign with Tony Pollard in place as the undisputed lead back. Playing on the $10.1MM franchise tag in 2023, Pollard has posted a career-low 4.0 yards per carry average; his impact in the passing game (295 scoreless yards on 53 receptions) has also left something to be desired. He will still enter the postseason as the clear option atop the depth chart, though.

Dallas’ second-leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, has amassed just 315 yards this year. That has contributed to the Cowboys’ middling performance in their ground attack (averaging 112 yards per contest, 14th in the NFL). Cook may have a clearer path to playing time with Dallas, but questions will be asked with respect to how much he will be able to contribute to close out the campaign. The longtime Vikings starter logged just 67 carries with the Jets this year, the first time he failed to receive triple-digit attempts since 2018.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets the Cowboys are simply doing their due diligence on Cook at this point. With further developments likely to take place in the near future, the interest shown by Dallas, Baltimore and any other RB-needy teams will be a storyline to follow closely in advance of the postseason.

Jets RB Dalvin Cook Will Not Ask For A Release Or More Carries

Like most players on the team’s offense, Jets running back Dalvin Cook is slogging through a disappointing 2023 campaign. In 11 games, he has recorded just 50 carries and is averaging a meager 3.2 yards per carry, which is by far a career-worst mark.

For what it’s worth, Cook was not hoping to be traded at the deadline — it sounds as if he did not generate much interest anyway — and will not ask for his release or for more carries, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. Although Cook presumably would prefer to catch on with a legitimate contender and would likely clear waivers and become a free agent if the Jets were to cut him, he says that his family has settled in New Jersey.

That said, he is frustrated about his usage. “For any guy that has produced in this league, it’s frustrating,” Cook said. “You want to be productive. I was hoping just to be in the right situation for me. Like I said, I want an opportunity. I feel great. My body is ready to roll. I was just hoping for a great opportunity.”

Cimini points out that Cook, who saw just one carry last week and two the week before, has at least looked more like his old self of late (41 yards on his last seven totes), and that it may make sense to give him a larger role in light of RB1 Breece Hall‘s struggles. Hall (hamstring) and Cook (shoulder) were both dealing with injuries in advance of today’s game against the Falcons, but both are active.

And as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported (video link), the plan was for Cook, who has been “looking better and better in practice,” to see a heavier workload against Atlanta and perhaps to get more carries than he has all season (the 13 carries Cook received in Week 1 represent a season-high). As of the time of this writing, Hall has four carries for two yards in the Falcons matcup, while Cook has three carries for 22 yards.

Barring a late-season explosion, Cook will likely not match the $7MM salary he is earning from the Jets this year on his next contract. The 28-year-old nonetheless has a chance to prove that he is still capable of playing at the level he established during his lengthy tenure with the Vikings — he earned a Pro Bowl nod for four straight seasons from 2019-22 — and to make himself more attractive to RB-needy clubs.