The Minnesota Vikings have informed running back Dalvin Cook that they are releasing him, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday. After 6 years, 5993 rushing yards, and 47 touchdowns, plus another 1,794 receiving yards and five scores, Dalvin Cook's time in Minnesota is over, after the Vikings were unable to trade him.
Cook, who turns 28 in August, was set to take up $14.1 million in cap space for 2023 and was due to earn $11 million if he spent the season with the Vikings. Those were big numbers for an aging running back who surpassed 1,500 touches in his career last season.
This has become the case with NFL running backs over the last few years. With the exception of Christian McCaffery, NFL teams draft RB's, run them into the ground on their rookie deals, then look to move on from them before getting burned on their next contract. We saw this with LeVeon Bell a few years back.
As of 20 minutes ago, Adam Schefter tweeted the Vikings will try and make one last attempt to trade the RB and get something in return for him before essentially releasing him. As of now the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins are the top suitors for the 27 year old back.
I think the Miami Dolphins need to do whatever it takes to land Cook. Even with him turning 28 before this season I am sure they will still get 2-3 more solid years of production from him.