Running back Dalvin Cook was questioned yesterday about his split from the only NFL franchise he has ever played for as he continues to hunt for a new team.
Cook stated during a Monday appearance on Rich Eisen’s show that the Vikings’ decision to release him was not unexpected. Cook seems to have had a genuine desire for it to occur.
Cook told Eisen.
“I kind of knew it was coming during the season, to be honest. The relationship of the run and the pass wasn’t there all year. So it was like, you know, I want to go somewhere to get the ball, and they want to get the ball out a lot, so it was kind of something that was well needed for both of us, and I kind of knew it was coming during the season.”
Of course, Minnesota experienced that last year. He unquestionably contributed to the Vikings’ success by making key plays in each of their victories over the Colts, at Miami, at Washington, at Buffalo, and in their games against the Vikings.
However, his hurried endeavors had been unsuccessful. In 2022, he received 17.82 touches overall and 15.52 carries on average per game. He averaged 19.15 carries and 21.7 touches per game the year before. With 22.2 carries and 24.4 touches per game in 2020, he achieved a career high. Additionally, the pass-run split increased from 58.4% in 2021 to 64.3 in 2022.
Cook Needs to Find Balance Between Pay and Workload in 2023
Cook had to be aware, as he claimed, that an eight-figure deal with the Vikings in 2023 was not feasible given the state of the market. It won’t occur somewhere else either, given the state of the market.
In order to extend his career by minimizing wear and tear. It is beneficial to strike a balance between pay and workload at this stage of his career.
One of the positives of the position’s current circumstances is that. Because they don’t get hit as hard, players who share the load with other running backs may be able to play longer. As Cook enters his seventh year of work, he may be able to work. Until ten or perhaps beyond if his compensation is decreased. Given that the running back position puts so many players through so many car accidents, that is a very real possibility. A single injury during training camp or the preseason may completely alter Cook’s outlook for 2023.
Suggested Read: NBA stars joke about Kylian Mbappe reported salary offer
