Dalvin Cook Expected To End Holdout During Training Camp

Dalvin Cook Expected To End Holdout During Training Camp

Suck it, haters! I tried to tell all the people during the fantasy show not to worry about Dalvin Cook sitting out. (I’m looking at you, Scott). Well, well, well, it turns out that Dalvin Cook will not be sitting out. There is not going to be a hold out. Cook can’t hold out because he doesn’t have enough service time which is what I said months ago. Cook will end his hold out during training camp.

Courtney Cronin of ESPN had the news:

“Cook’s planned holdout, which was announced by his camp more than six weeks prior to the scheduled start of training camp, is made complicated by new rules within the CBA. The Vikings running back will be fined $50,000 for every day missed during camp and unlike in previous years, those fines don’t just magically disappear if/when a team and player finally work out a new deal. That’s a hefty price to pay for someone making $1.3 million on the final year of his rookie contract. More importantly, if Cook doesn’t show up for camp at the mandatory reporting date or leaves the team after that date, he won’t accrue a year of service toward free agency. That would make him a restricted free agent in 2021, which would gravely impact his future earnings.”

“Minnesota has just about all of the leverage in this situation so Cook’s holdout likely won’t last past the first week of training camp. The Vikings typically award contract extensions around the start of camp, so we could see a new deal at the end of the month. If Cook has a prolonged absence, the Vikings could very well turn things over to Alexander Mattison, who was drafted in the third round two years ago as a potential Cook replacement, and then use a combination of Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah. Cook averaged 4.5 yards per rush last season, but the three other running backs averaged 4.9. Mattison, Boone and Abdullah also averaged more yards before contact per rush and more yards after contact per rush.”

“Won’t last past the first week of training camp”. Cronin expects Cook to report to the team which is what I said months ago. Cook has no choice but to report. The fines don’t go away anymore and Cook has to accrue another year of service time. This holdout will end before it ever really got started.

Vikings Have No Choice But To Pay Dalvin Cook

I don’t think it’s impossible an extension gets worked out here either. The Derrick Henry deal is a good deal to try to work around. Even if one doesn’t get done, don’t be the guy who panics and passes on Dalvin Cook at a discount. Be smart.