The Minnesota Vikings weren’t expected to win a lot of games in 2022, as they were coming off a season in which they finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
But they won 13 games and finished first in the NFC North, which led to some optimism that perhaps with a couple of tweaks, they could soon contend for a Super Bowl title.
However, they could end up losing one of their stars.
Running back Dalvin Cook reportedly isn’t willing to take a paycut, and the Vikings are starting to receive trade offers for him.
Report: The #Vikings have received trade offer for RB Dalvin Cook, per @DWolfsonKSTP
Dalvin Cook isn’t interested in taking a pay-cut, according to Wolfson. pic.twitter.com/J36NVyZlzw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 9, 2023
Cook made the Pro Bowl for a fourth straight season, and his 1,173 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns made him one of the NFL’s most productive running backs.
He teamed with standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who led the league in receiving yards, to give Minnesota the eight-best scoring offense in pro football.
A generation ago, the team may have done whatever it may have taken to keep Cook, but in this era, running backs are considered not too valuable, if not expendable, even one as good as Cook.
The NFC North could end up getting weaker, as the Green Bay Packers may end up trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers, possibly to the New York Jets.
The Detroit Lions are ascending, as they nearly made the playoffs with a 9-8 record after getting hot during the second half of last season.
With weapons such as Jefferson, fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end TJ Hockenson, perhaps the Vikings will still finish first in their division even if Cook ends up departing.
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