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.
Effects of a Dalvin Cook holdout
For starters, the Vikings whole offensive strategy for 2020 could be demolished. Minnesota has spent more than a year building an offense that gets the most out of Dalvin Cook and as talented as some of his backups are, the level of play in the team’s offensive backfield goes down without their top running back.
With the potential of no Cook for 2020, the Vikings would likely have to turn to Alexander Mattison to step in a take the majority of the reps as the team’s top back. Mattison showed flashes as a rookie in 2019, but no one can say with a straight face that Minnesota’s rushing attack would be just as successful with him on the field instead of Cook.
Neither Mike Boone or Ameer Abdullah are the answer either. So the Vikings might be forced to bring in a veteran free agent if Cook is still holding out by the time the regular season begins.
Some of the notable free-agent running backs who are still available include Devonta Freeman, LeSean McCoy, and Lamar Miller. It would be extremely interesting if Freeman was the guy who Minnesota ended up bringing in since he is the guy who Cook replaced at both Florida State and Miami Central High School.
It will definitely be a huge blow for the Vikings’ plans to contend in 2020 if Cook decides to hold out. Without him out on the field each week, earning a spot in the playoffs could be a real struggle for Minnesota next season.
Holding out could also have a negative effect on Cook as well. If he misses all of training camp and even a few games, his risk of injury could go up as he potentially won’t be in “game shape”.
Due to the new NFL CBA that was signed in March, will Cook have to deal with steep fines if he misses any part of training camp due to a holdout? While the Vikings could fine him, they won’t be mandatory since the new measures put in place only apply to players who are not on their first contract.
Looking at everything, the Vikings just have too much to risk to let Cook holdout this year. Hopefully, the two sides can work out a new deal sooner than later.