What a Dalvin Cook holdout could mean for the Vikings in 2020
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings running back is reportedly considering a holdout if he doesn’t get a new deal.
Anytime Dalvin Cook has been on the field for the Minnesota Vikings during the past three seasons, there has always been the potential for a big, game-changing play to happen.
Cook missed a good amount of time during his first two years with the Vikings due to injury. But in 2019, he proved why he should be regarded as one of the best running backs in the NFL.
In 14 games for Minnesota last season, Cook rushed for 1,135 yards, caught 53 passes for another 519 yards, and scored a total of 13 touchdowns. He was a huge part of the Vikings’ success in 2019 and a big reason why they were able to upset the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2019 playoffs.
However, Cook is currently in the last year of his rookie contract. Thanks to his success last season and the potential that he still possesses, the running back wants a new deal from Minnesota before takes another snap out on the field.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, Cook will no longer be participating in any of the Vikings’ offseason activities and he won’t be taking part in training camp until his current contract with the team is extended. Schefter’s source told him, “(Cook’s) out. Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond.”
As much as some Minnesota fans might freak out about this news, it’s not really anything to worry about at this point in time. The Vikings have already made it clear that they want Cook to be their top back well past 2020 and typically, the team usually completes their extensions just before, or a few days into training camp.
Until a holdout actually happens, it really shouldn’t be thought of as a legitimate possibility for Cook. But just in case, let’s explore what their top running back holding out could mean for Minnesota in 2020.