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DeAndre Hopkins. Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK

Why DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cook haven't signed yet

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/12/23

A little under two weeks away from the start of NFL training camp and there are still two premier free agents looking for new teams.

While debating the futures of receiver DeAndre Hopkins and running back Dalvin Cook is seemingly the only thing keeping most NFL fans from completely checking out until the first veterans report to training camp on July 19, there have been some new developments regarding both players.

Where things stand with Hopkins

The Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots — the only teams Hopkins has visited since becoming a free agent — are the two reported front-runners right now, but ESPN’s Jeff Darlington recently reported the Buffalo Bills (who do not have nearly as much cap space as Tennessee or New England) have thrown their hat into the ring.

"My understanding with the Bills is, yeah, they love DeAndre Hopkins, and he'd be a great addition, but they're not going pay him," Darlington said. "If he wants to ring chase, there's a spot for him."

The Titans and Patriots both offered Hopkins a contract after his visit with them, but the 30-year-old WR appears to be in no rush to sign with either team, likely waiting until closer to training camp to reevaluate his options.

DeAndre Hopkins is now -300 to go to the Tennessee Titans at DraftKings

He was +500 yesterday.
— Connor Allen (@ConnorAllenNFL) July 12, 2023

“The Titans have been more aggressive to this point and Hopkins hasn’t been in a rush to sign,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported over the weekend. “One reason for Hopkins to wait a bit longer is to leave open the possibility of another team entering the mix, potentially increasing his market.”

Hopkins’ estimated market value is $23.2M per Spotrac, which projects Cook to sign a three-year, $69.6M contract.

Where things stand with Cook

Though he has several offers on the table, including one from the Miami Dolphins that he reportedly already turned down per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, the consensus is that Cook is likely waiting until the start of training camp before making a decision.

“Right now, they’re in a holding pattern,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe said Tuesday on “Good Morning Football.” “He hasn’t gotten exactly what he wants and he says, ‘I’ll wait.’ And from what I understand, training camp is the next marker — you want to get something so you can get him into camp — but he and his team are comfortable if it goes into camp, if it goes into the season. He believes he’s one of the best backs in the league and wants to be paid as such.”

Wolfe also mentioned the Dolphins are comfortable with the running backs they have under contract (Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Myles Gasking, Devon Achane) and likely won’t get into a bidding war over the 27-year-old RB.

.@Hawk thinks Miami is the perfect fit for Dalvin Cook

"In this offense, specifically with [Mike] McDaniel, decent RBs look good, good RBs look great, great RBs look generational." pic.twitter.com/TN8XSFbu1S
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 7, 2023

Boomer Esiason of CBS Sports also reported that the Minnesota Vikings extended an offer to Cook to return for significantly less than the $14M he was due before the team cut him. However, Cook appears to be biding his time while other teams drive his price up on the open market.

“Cook has a $7M a year contract from the Minnesota Vikings right now,” Esiason said on an episode of “Boomer and Gio” Tuesday morning. “I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but he hasn’t accepted it and I don’t think he really wants to go back there. I think that he really wants to play for the Miami Dolphins and [Cook's agent] is trying to play the Dolphins (against) the Jets. … But they’re not going to get into a bidding war with the Miami Dolphins.”

Cook’s estimated market value is $8.7M per Spotrac, which projects Cook to sign a two-year, $17.5M contract.

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