Getty Image / Stephen Maturen
One of the most surprising decisions of this year’s NFL offseason was the Minnesota Vikings’ decision to release Dalvin Cook.
The Vikings are coming off of a season where they finished with the NFC’s second best record and were expected to once again compete for the NFC North crown in 2023.
This offseason, they’ve actually made quite a few moves that make it seem like the franchise may be heading in the opposite direction.
They had already let Adam Thielen go and traded Za’Darius Smith to the Browns.
Then they let Cook go, leaving them with a few backfield options that aren’t quite proven as starters yet.
While it was a surprising move for the Vikings, it is one that another team will get the chance to benefit from.
The Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins were both quickly linked to Cook, but the running back hasn’t actually found a deal yet.
Now it has been revealed how much money he is asking for as he looks to sign with a new team.
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Cook is looking for somewhere around the $10.4 million he was expected to make with the Vikings had he not been released.
As I've reported, wants something far far closer to 10.4 M he was to get from Minnesota
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 11, 2023
It doesn’t sound like a ridiculous asking price for a running back coming off of yet another Pro Bowl appearance, but it may be tough to get in the current market.
Running backs have been having a tough time getting paid this offseason with Austin Ekeler requesting a trade that never came to get a new contract, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs both getting franchise tagged, and Ezekiel Elliot and Leonard Fournette still also looking for new teams.
The deal would actually be a slight downgrade from his last contract, which paid $12.6 million per year, but would still keep him near the top of running back salaries in the league.
Dalvin Cook will definitely make his way onto a new roster before the pre-season begins, but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to get the contract he wants.