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Report: Vikings could cut four-time Pro Bowler prior to draft

Dalvin Cook Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Vikings could cut four-time Pro Bowler before the draft

By Colum Dell | Last updated 4/16/23

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook's future has been in the spotlight this offseason, raising speculation that he may be on his way out of Minneapolis.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, a resolution could occur within the coming weeks.

During a Saturday appearance on "SportsCenter," Fowler said that "all options are on the table" regarding Cook's status moving forward. If he refuses to take a pay cut or if Minnesota cannot find a trade partner, the organization may release him before the 2023 NFL Draft.

"I'm told all options are on the table here and that [Cook] could be released closer to the draft if things don't work out," Fowler said. "They had talked to at least one team about a trade in the past closer to free agency, so he is certainly a name to watch."

Update: #Vikings could cut Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook by Draft time, per @JFowlerESPN

"I'm told all options are on the table and he could be released if things don't work out."

The Vikings also already talked to at least one team about a trade in the past. pic.twitter.com/cMuUZQ6mHh
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 15, 2023

Cook, 27, has three years remaining on his five-year, $63 million contract and is slated to carry a $14.1 million cap hit this season, the third-highest among running backs.

Despite a concerning injury history, he remains a dynamic player. In 2022, Cook rushed for 1,173 yards -- his fourth straight season recording at least 1,100 rushing yards. However, the team re-signed backup running back Alexander Mattison, who averages 115.5 total yards per game as a starter, on a two-year $7 million deal, seemingly making Cook expendable.

Although trading Cook would be the ideal solution for Minnesota's financial situation, it is unlikely that another team would make a move for him without the Vikings covering a majority of his salary. Therefore, the four-time Pro Bowler may become an outright cap casualty.

The Vikings -- who sit at a woeful 32nd in cap space -- would save $5.9 million if they cut Cook before the draft, though he would leave behind an $8.2 million dead cap hit. If Minnesota released him after June 1, it would save them $9 million and they would only get stuck with $5.1 million in dead money.

It's possible Cook could return to Minnesota for the upcoming season, but the chances are slim given recent comments made by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Cook's agent, Zac Hiller.

In a Thursday news conference, Adofo-Mensah was noncommittal regarding the possibility of Cook remaining with the team in 2023. "Conversations are always ongoing with him. We're trying to be solutions-oriented and always try to put the roster together within our constraints," he said via ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Appearing on the "Caps Off" podcast, Hiller bashed the Vikings, saying Cook played with a shoulder injury and still posted Hall of Fame-caliber stats while the team has been "mediocre." It doesn't sound like Hiller's comments are part of a negotiation strategy.

The 2023 NFL Draft, hosted in Kansas City, will be held from April 27-29. Cook's situation will be one of several to monitor, as multiple Pro Bowlers could switch teams by the end of the month.

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