Report: Vikings parting with RB Dalvin Cook

KSTP contributed to this report. WDIO
Dalvin Cook. (NFL)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the team has informed longtime running back Dalvin Cook that he is being released Friday if they’re unable to complete a trade on Thursday. The news broke Thursday morning. Releasing Cook would save Minnesota around $9 million in salary cap space this season, plus another $12.5 million in 2024, per Spotrac.

The news comes after the team already parted ways with several other well-known Vikings this offseason, including longtime stars in linebacker Eric Kendricks and hometown hero Adam Thielen.

Cook, who will turn 28 in August, has spent his entire career with Minnesota since the Vikings drafted him out of Florida State with the 41st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

During his time as a Viking, Cook was one of the most productive running backs in the league, averaging 4.7 yards per run and over 82 rushing yards per game, and also averaged 24.6 receiving yards per game across 73 games. In total, despite battling injuries regularly, Cook totaled 5,993 yards rushing and 47 touchdowns with the Vikings on 1,282 carries, plus another 1,794 receiving yards and five touchdown catches on 221 receptions.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last four seasons.

However, with limited salary cap space for the team and other capable running backs on the roster — including Alexander Mattison, the presumed starter now, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and rookie DeWayne McBride — the Vikings had been expected to part with Cook for weeks.