Dalvin Cook trade reportedly on the horizon

For months, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has been involved in trade rumors. The team reportedly approached him about taking a pay cut, and when those talks were rebuffed, the discussion shifted to figuring out how to move him.

The writing has been on the wall for a while when it comes to Cook and the Vikings parting ways. The team re-signed Alexander Mattison in free agency and recently removed Cook from its social media banners.

Many analysts thought that Cook would be moved during the 2023 NFL Draft, but nothing came to fruition. At this point in time, it feels like an inevitability that he will be on the move. While there is still a chance the Vikings could release him as the Arizona Cardinals did with DeAndre Hopkins, a trade still feels likely.

Could that trade be coming soon? According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Cook could be on the move by the end of this week. June 1 is an important date in the NFL calendar as that is when teams can reap the salary cap benefits of releasing or trading players. With that milestone date now passed, trade talks could heat up around Cook.

By trading him after June 1, the cap hit that Minnesota would be taking can be split, with $3.1 million in 2023 and $3.1 million in 2024, according to Florio. For a team with some salary cap issues such as the Vikings, that would be an ideal outcome.

Realistically, there should be a market for Cook. He remains a productive running back, earning a Pro Bowl nod in four consecutive seasons. Teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will certainly have him on their radars. The Philadelphia Eagles have also been a popular predicted suitor for running back trades as well.

Cook has rushed for at least 1,135 yards and six touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. He is no slouch in the passing game, as he is a true three-down, workhorse back who would elevate virtually every backfield in the NFL.