Dalvin Cook Trade Rumors: 6 Logical Landing Spots For Vikings' Pro Bowl RB
Nothing is certain in the NFL, but there appears to be a good chance Dalvin Cook's time with the Vikings will come to an end this offseason.
Cook has the fourth-highest cap hit ($14.1 million) on a team that is just barely under the cap right now. He plays a position, running back, that the broader analytics movement has largely devalued. He's turning 28 this offseason — meaning he's approaching the time when many RBs fall off dramatically — and is coming off a season in which his advanced metrics were dreadful. And perhaps most notably, the Vikings re-signed his backup, Alexander Mattison, on a two-year, $7 million deal. That's more than backup running back money, one would assume.
Then there was Monday's news, courtesy of NFL Network's Tom Pelissero: Cook was recently in Minnesota for a medical checkup and is "making excellent progress" in his recovery from February labrum surgery. Pelissero described Cook's shoulder, which has been a recurring nuisance that he's been able to play through for several seasons, as "100% stable and stronger." The decision to fully repair the labrum should mean Cook will no longer deal with dislocations of his shoulder.
That's good news for Cook, obviously. Pelissero's tweet also reads as something that either the Vikings, Cook's representation, or both clearly wanted to get out there so other NFL teams are aware that the veteran running back is healthy — and maybe even better than ever! No team was going to trade for Cook until his shoulder healed, but a market for his services could emerge now that he's getting closer to being able to pass a physical with a new team.
The Vikings may end up releasing Cook if they can't work out a trade. They could also simply keep him for the 2023 season and potentially release him next offseason with much less dead money involved. But Cook is a big-name, four-time Pro Bowler who was one of the best running backs in the league just a couple seasons ago. The Vikings may be able to trade him, even if it's just for a middle-round draft pick.
So, where could Cook end up? Here are X teams that might logically make sense as partners for the Vikings in a trade.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been the obvious name connected to Cook for a while now. Miami is his hometown, and the Dolphins have a rising offense that could use a difference-maker at RB. Reports from mid-March were that the Dolphins inquired about Cook and got the sense that the Vikings weren't trading him, but that was several weeks and one Mattison re-signing ago. Even after the Dolphins brought back Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., don't rule them out here.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are in win-now mode with new head coach Sean Payton hoping to help Russell Wilson bounce back in his second year in Denver. If the offense can help out the Broncos' great defense a bit more, this could be a good team. At running back, Javonte Williams is coming off a torn ACL and may not be ready for the regular season. Cook could play a role for Payton resembling the one fellow 2017 draft pick Alvin Kamara held in New Orleans for many years.
Buffalo Bills
Would the Bills consider trading for Cook and pairing him with his brother, James, in their backfield? They got an up-close look at Cook's game-changing ability when he ripped off an 81-yard touchdown against them in that OT thriller in Buffalo last season. The Bills also have Damien Harris at running back, but he's just on a one-year, $1.7 million deal. Cook would bring another element to one of the league's most dangerous offenses.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have granted star running back Austin Ekeler's wish to seek a trade. What if they were to move Ekeler and replace him with Cook? Ekeler is a uniquely talented receiver out of the backfield, but Cook is more of a traditional workhorse RB who can handle 25 touches a game if needed. He could be a good short-term pair with quarterback Justin Herbert.
Chicago Bears
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already shown that he's plenty willing to make trades within the NFC North. He traded with the Lions and Packers early in last year's NFL draft, then went out and got T.J. Hockenson in a big mid-season deal with Detroit. The Bears have cap space, they need to surround Justin Fields with talent, and their backfield is currently headed by D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert. Notably, Chicago didn't re-sign David Montgomery, who inked a three-year deal with the Lions. It's unlikely, but the Bears might be a fit for Cook.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys moved on from Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, opening up room in their backfield and cap space on their books. Owner Jerry Jones loves to make big swings, so how about one that lands Cook in Dallas? He could split time with Tony Pollard, keeping both players fresh. The Cowboys are in win-now mode, have a dominant defense, and could use another weapon on offense.
Other dark-horse options: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals (pending the Joe Mixon situation), Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars
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