Barring new contract, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook set for holdout
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook scores on a 3-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis.[Andy Clayton-King/Associated Press]
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will not report to training camp nor participate in any team-oriented activities unless he agrees to a new contract.
KSTP Sports confirmed the stance with a source close to Cook after it was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook no longer will participate in any team-related activities until and unless he receives a “reasonable” deal, a source said Monday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2020
“He’s out,” a source told ESPN. “Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond.”
Cook has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and many wondered if he would play into his final season without a new deal or extension.
The source told Wolfson the Vikings did present an offer to Cook this offseason, but it fell well below expectations. The source added Cook is not seeking a record-setting deal, that an offer along the lines of what the Arizona Cardinals offered David Johnson two years ago would likely be accepted. Johnson inked a 3-year, $39M deal in 2018. Arizona traded him this offseason to Houston.
Per OverTheCap.com, Johnson is the fourth-highest paid running back in the NFL in terms of annual salary.
Cook’s rookie deal averages $1.59M per year which ranks 53rd among current NFL running back contracts for 2020.
Cook ranks eighth in the NFL for yards-per-game since his arrival in the league, and had the third highest rushing grade last season as determined by the website Pro Football Focus.
Injuries limited Cook to appearing in just 15 of 32 regular season games in his first two seasons in the league. He was a Pro Bowler in his third season in 2019 after 14 games played, 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns – all career highs.