The Minnesota Vikings announced on Thursday that they are parting ways with running back Dalvin Cook. He will either be traded or released. Here are five potential landing spots for Dalvin Cook.
The Dolphins have been rumored to be a landing spot for Cook for a while. They are a playoff contender after making the postseason last year. Miami also added Jalen Ramsey this offseason. They have some solid running backs in Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Devon Achane, but their offense could be more dynamic with a true lead running back.
Even after acquiring Ramsey, the Dolphins have plenty of cap space to make a move happen, as they currently have over $13 million. Cook fits the speedy running back type that head coach Mike McDaniel has used in Miami and before his time as a head coach with the San Francisco 49ers.
If Cook has any interest in sharing a backfield with his brother, James Cook, he could go to the Bills. What could also persuade him to sign is the fact that the Bills are Super Bowl contenders. Competing with his brother and Damien Harris likely won’t bother Dalvin, as he is the most talented out of the three.
The Bills have the least amount of cap space of any team on this list, but they can still make a deal happen. In getting Cook, the Bills can improve their red zone offense and have Cook take more of the carries away from Josh Allen to keep the quarterback healthy. If Cook takes less money or Buffalo gets creative with the cap space, the two sides could come to a deal.
All offseason there were rumors about the Bengals cutting Joe Mixon to save cap space. They went through free agency and the draft without making a move. If the Bengals want to cut Mixon and add Cook for cheaper, their offense could be more dynamic. With Joe Burrow at the helm, Cook may want to play for Cincinnati and help them win a Super Bowl.
Cook is likely a better fit for Cincinnati’s offense than Mixon, who had to come off the field on third downs at times due to his lack of pass protection. Cook may not be the greatest pass protector, but he does provide another unique weapon for Burrow to utilize. The Bengals could actually make some more cap space by cutting Mixon and signing Cook, so the two sides could work together soon.
This offseason, the Cowboys made the tough decision to release Ezekiel Elliott to create cap space. That leaves Tony Pollard as the lead running back. Pollard played well last season, but it is always good to have multiple options in the backfield. With Jerry Jones’s inclination to make splashes, he could get Cook to aid the offense.
Dallas has made the playoffs the last few seasons, but have been unable to reach an NFC Championship Game. Getting another dynamic playmaker like Cook could help them advance further in the playoffs. The Cowboys have the cap space and owner to make something happen if they are interested.
The Bears have already started building around Justin Fields this offseason. They traded for D.J. Moore and drafted Darnell Wright to play tackle. Later in the draft, they drafted running back Roschon Johnson. He will be paired with Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer in the backfield. While there are some solid players in the mix, the Bears could really boost the help around Fields with the addition of Cook.
If Cook has any motivation to get revenge on his former team, staying in the division could be in the cards. The Bears have the most cap space in the league and could use some of it on a dynamic running back like Cook. While they aren’t likely to be Super Bowl contenders in 2023, Cook would improve the team.
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