Minnesota Vikings plan to release Dalvin Cook

Minnesota Vikings plan to release Dalvin Cook

The Minnesota Vikings have informed star running back Dalvin Cook that he will be released. The move is expected to come if the Vikings are unable to find a trade partner before Friday, June 8, 2023. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter was the first to announce the news.

Vikings have informed Dalvin Cook that he’s being released, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2023

Vikings are expected to try to trade four-time Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook one more time today and if they are unable to, they would plan to process his official release Friday, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2023

The Vikings selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In six seasons in Minnesota, Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, established himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL. Cook ran for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns during his Vikings tenure. In the passing game, he added 1,794 yards and five touchdowns.

Since it’s post-June 1, the release will save the Vikings $9 million on the salary cap this season and leave them with $5.1 million in dead money.

Cook, 27, certainly has some football left in the tank. The question is if a team will be willing to make a trade for Cook before he is released. That is unlikely, however, as the Vikings have been unable to find a trade partner for Cook after openly shopping him throughout the offseason.

It appears as if the Miami Dolphins are the most likely landing spot for Cook in free agency. It has been reported that there is mutual interest in a deal that would bring Cook to Miami. From a football perspective, adding a Pro Bowl running back to an offense that features Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle is certainly appealing. Cook, a native Floridian and former Florida State Seminole, has plenty of ties to the state of Florida as well.

As for Minnesota, the team will be left with a running back room that features Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride and Kene Nwangwu. Mattison will likely be the feature back if no other additions are made. In the past, he has played a lead role when Cook struggled with injury.

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