Vikings running back Dalvin Cook reported to training camp Tuesday to take his COVID-19 test. By officially reporting to camp on time, he is eligible for an accrued season. Whether he participates in other training-camp activities, however, remains to be seen.
Cook, 24, said in June that he intended to hold out until he received a “reasonable” contract extension. He is entering the final year of a four-year, $6.53 million rookie deal and reportedly turned down an extension averaging less than $10 million per year.
NBC Sports NFL writer Peter King understands Cook’s desire to get paid, but he also understands the Vikings’ reticence, if not inability, to pay him.
“If you’re the Wilf family, if you’re Rick Spielman up in Minnesota, how do you know where the financials are going to be next offseason?” King said on Tiki & Tierney. “You barely know what they are this offseason. . . . They’ve already got commitments of $189 million next year – and the cap is definitely not going to be $189 million next year.”
Cook rushed 250 times for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He also caught 53 balls for 519 yards. All were career-highs.
“If I were Dalvin Cook, I wouldn’t want to get paid right now because of the financial uncertainty of the NFL,” King said. “I think you’ll be lucky to basically get the money that Derrick Henry got in Tennessee.”
Henry, who led the NFL in carries (303), rushing yards (1,540) and rushing touchdowns (16) in 2019, signed a four-year, $50 million extension with Tennessee.
“If you’re Dalvin Cook,” King said, “and you think, ‘Hey, I got a 40, 45 percent chance to win a rushing title this year,’ I would play it out and take my chances on a contract next year when at least next March you’re going to have a decent idea what the financials are around the NFL.”