It’s the end of the Dalvin Cook era in Minnesota, according to a report Thursday morning from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pelissero, who is based in Minnesota, says the Vikings are “parting ways” with Cook, who has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in four consecutive seasons. He’ll immediately become a free agent with the option to sign with any team he pleases.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the Vikings have informed Cook that he’ll be released, while Pelissero says the Vikings plan to release Cook at some point Friday, adding that “unless a Hail Mary trade offer comes through, he’ll be free to sign with any team starting after 4 p.m. Friday.”
The #Vikings and four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook are parting ways, per source.
One of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers, Cook is coming off a fourth straight 1,000-yard season and has 52 career TDs. Now he’ll be a free agent at age 27 and will have multiple suitors. pic.twitter.com/kJUIi9XP6O
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2023
Two teams immediately jumping into the national spotlight as potential Cook landing spots are the Dolphins and Broncos, according to Schefter, who says “those two have been monitoring Cook for weeks.”
By releasing Cook, the Vikings will save about $9 million of the $14.1 million cap hit that he was projected to have in 2023 by Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald. A trade would’ve saved the Vikings an additional $2 million.
Cook has rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns since being drafted 41st overall in 2017 by Minnesota.
He is being replaced by Alexander Mattison, a 2019 third-round pick who has averaged 4.1 yards per carry in a backup role to Cook. Mattison signed a two-year deal to stay with the Vikings rather than signing elsewhere as a free agent, which was the first signal that Minnesota was planning to move on from Cook.
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