Minnesota Vikings strategy to release running back Dalvin Cook

The Minnesota Vikings haveactually notified running back Dalvin Cook that they will be launching him, per several reports.

The relocation isn’t anticipated to endedupbeing authorities till Friday, significance a late trade deal might still come through. Either method, Cook’s six-year period in Minnesota will come to a close.

The Miami Dolphons and Denver Broncos have supposedly emerged as early prospective suitors for Cook, according to ESPN.

Cook has played his whole NFL profession with the Vikings up to this point. He was chose by Minnesota in the 2nd round (41st general) of the 2017 Draft out of FSU. He signed a five-year extension with Minnesota ahead of the 2020 season under previous basic supervisor Rick Spielman. That offer called for Cook to make $11 million in 2023, with a $14.1 million income cap number. The Vikings ranked No. 3 in cap dedication to the running back position with Cook’s numbers still on their books. 

Cook got 74% of the Vikings’ brings last season, hurried for 1,173 lawns — the sixth-most in the league — and 8 goals throughout the 2022-23 project. He produced his 4th successive 1,000-yard season in 2022 and didn’t missouton a single videogame for the veryfirst time in his profession.

What’s more, 2 of the 6 longest runs of his profession came last season: a 53-yard rating in Week 6 and an 81-yard rating in Week 10 in which Cook taped a leading speed of 21.68 milesperhour, the seventh-fastest speed for any ball provider in 2022, per Next Gen Stats. 

However, Cook likewise led the NFL with 62 brings that either lost or did not gain a backyard. That stated, the four-time Pro Bowler has hurried for more backyards (5,993) than any Vikings runners otherthan Adrian Peterson (11,747) and Robert Smith (6,818).

Cook, who turns 28 in August, dealswith an uphill fight next season regardless of where he ends up. In 2022, just 3 running backs (Latavius Murray, Raheem Mostert and Derrick Henry) hurried for more than 500 lawns after turning 28.

The Vikings re-signed backup running back Alexander Mattison, 24, in March to a agreement that assurances him $6.35 million over the next 2 seasons. Shortly after finalizing his brand-new agreement, Mattison stated that he returned to Minnesota duetothefactthat of an “understanding how it’s all laid out and how it’s all going to work out,” per ESPN.

Mattison hurried for 283 lawns and 5 ratings last season without a single start. All 5 of his 20-plus-carry videogames have come in videogames Cook either missedouton or left early. He has balanced 1.91 lawns per rush after contact — somewhat muchbetter than Cook’s mark of 1.77 over the past 4 seasons — however just one of his 404 profession brings hasactually gone beyond 24 lawns.

Mattison’s cap numbers over the next 2 seasons are $2.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively. 

Ty Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round draft choice who invested most of the season on hurt reserve, and Pro Bowl kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu presently accompany Mattison on the Vikings’ depth chart.

“Between Kene and Ty, there currently appears to be a truly great competitors developing there,” coach Kevin O’Connell justrecently stated, “because both of those men are having truly strong springs and kind of revealing their flexibility.”

DeWayne McBride, a seventh-round draft choice from UAB who led the country in hurrying throughout the 2022 college season, is likewise in the mix. He has yet to getinvolved in spring drills while fixingup a small hamstring injury, .

The Vikings endedup last season with a 13-4 record and a wild-card round postseason exit.