As many had expected, the Minnesota Vikings have officially parted ways with star running back Dalvin Cook, the team announced on Friday. The move was primarily money-related, as Cook earned a base salary of $10.4 million this season, $11.9 million in 2024 and $12.9 million in 2025, according to Spotrac had to pay. This transaction saves the Vikings $9 million in cap space.
“Dalvin has been an incredible leader of this organization for years and I quickly realized how respected he is by everyone in our building,” General Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said on the team’s official website. “I am fortunate to have been with someone as fun, talented and hardworking as him over the past year. He has engraved his name in Vikings history with his performance on the field but also by his constant giving back to the Vikings Foundation. We do.” I am grateful for all that Dalvin brought to the Vikings and sincerely wish him all the best in his future.
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“Dalvin has meant so much to our organization over the past six years,” added Vikings owner Zygi Wilf. “His love of playing football in front of the Vikings fan base was evident and that connection extended to the community he was influencing around the Twin Cities. Dalvin helped us launch the Vikings Table Food Truck and has been a constant advocate for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation. His leadership qualities in the dressing room and tireless dedication on the field were undeniable and one of the main reasons he was team captain for several years. We are extremely grateful to Dalvin for everything Dalvin has done for the Vikings and look forward to welcoming him back as a legend.”
Cook has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons and has rushed for at least 1,135 yards in each of those four seasons. He is the only NFL player to have rushed for more than 1,110 yards in each of the past four years.
In 2022, Cook played a full season for the first time in his career, rushing for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. As of 2019, Cook has the third most rushing yards (5,024), second most rushing touchdowns (43), and second most rushing first downs (258).
The Vikings are now ready to move forward with Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and DeWayne McBride as running backs. Earlier this offseason, Minnesota gave Mattison a new two-year contract worth up to $8 million, with $7 million in guarantees, with $6.35 million in guarantees.
Cook exits the Vikings as the third-best rusher in the franchise with 5,993 yards, trailing only Robert Smith and Adrian Peterson. His 47 rushing touchdowns ranks fourth in Vikings history. Now that he’s on the open market, Cook will no doubt have multiple suitors. Let’s look at five potential landing spots for one of the NFL’s best running backs.
Dalvin Cook
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The Dolphins have long been considered one of Cook’s best landing spots. A Florida native, he was born in Opa-Locka and played his prom at Miami Central. The Miami Herald recently reported that the Dolphins could be “a real opportunity” if Cook were released, and one has to imagine going home would be attractive to him. The Vikings got to play in Miami last year, and that was special for Cook.
“This is what I dreamed of, it’s a kid’s dream, just living in it and trying to seize the moment,” Cook said via SI.com. “If you know me, I just like to have fun. So I’m trying to enjoy the moment, man, because you don’t get that back. We only play Miami every few years so I have to take advantage of those types of games.”
The Dolphins don’t necessarily have a running back need with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Devon Achane, Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks, but that won’t stop head coach Mike McDaniel from taking advantage of the opportunity. He found success with the San Francisco 49ers planning the run and wants Miami to run the ball better than they did in 2022.
The Bills have some running back options with James Cook, Damien Harris, Nyheim Hines and Latavius Murray in the roster, but Cook would make for an immediate upgrade at that position. Cook has rushed for 1,110 yards in each of the last four seasons. The last time the Bills had a 1,110-yard rusher was in 2017 with LeSean McCoy, and their best rusher in four years is now with the Houston Texans.
It could well be that Cook signs with a legitimate competitor and teams up with his younger brother.
First off, the Bears have ample leeway to sign Cook, who caused many a headache for Chicago during his time in Minnesota. Cook would be an improvement over the Bears’ current defensive lineup, which includes D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert and rookie Roshon Johnson.
Cook would fit the Bears offense like a glove. He would get a chance to run behind a revised lineup that includes rookie first-round pick Darnell Wright. Cook would also play alongside quarterback Justin Fields, who is facing a breakout season.
Arizona has ample leeway to take on Cook. They also need to trail behind James Conner, who given his injury history would benefit from having a back of Cook’s caliber to share the backcourt with.
The addition of Cook would give the Cardinals one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Like Chicago, the Cardinals picked Paris Johnson Jr., one of the top linemen in the draft. Arizona, too, has a talented young quarterback in Kyler Murray, as well as a talented receiving corps led by Marquise Brown after the team recently fired DeAndre Hopkins.
5.San Francisco 49ers
Cook on offense for the 49ers would be like playing Madden at the rookie level for coach Kyle Shanahan. Cook would not only embarrass Shanahan on offense, but also add desired depth at running back given the injury history of Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell.
A quarter century ago, Shanahan took a close look at how Terrell Davis was ruthless with Kyle’s father, Mike Shanahan, on his way to winning two titles. Cook would perform similar magic with the younger Shanahan while playing to the same zone blocking scheme that Davis also enjoyed.