The Minnesota Vikings have entered an era of transition.
They won’t have some of their most prominent names on the field from last season, with the exceptions of Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins.
That means Dalvin Cook will no longer anchor their running game, as the team just parted ways with their lifelong star at the position.
Needless to say, this report fueled plenty of comments on social media, from some mocking the team for seemingly giving up on contention and others stating that this was predictable and Cook’s prime was already a thing of the past.
So are they cutting him due to how much he’s owed? Or do they not believe in him anymore?
— #DieHardNinerFan (@4marfanz) June 8, 2023
If the Vikings Front Office is reading this. You have 4 hours
—John Christo (@WhitePepperGDF) June 8, 2023
He’s cooked no pun
— Evan G (@EvanRos83014184) June 8, 2023
Handing the division to the @Lions is what this is doing!
—Pure Michigan Sports (@PureMichSports) June 8, 2023
Truth be told, the timing made sense for both parties.
Cook still has some miles left in the tank and should gauge some league-wide interest at a cheaper contract, with the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills as logical potential destinations for his services.
But as good as he’s been, he’s also been unavailable and in street clothes more often than the usual player due to multiple injuries throughout the course of his career.
Running backs have become replaceable in today’s game, and teams are hesitant to keep aging, expensive bell-cow RBs on their roster for long; that’s just the common trend nowadays.
It’ll be interesting to see where he falls and whether he can stay healthy, as he could be one of the most impactful signings of the offseason if he’s back to his best form in his new team.
As for the division, the Vikings might still have a chance at contention without him.
NEXT:
The Vikings Set A Shocking Mark In 2022