Dalvin Cook’s chances of cashing in with the Vikings just increased

Derrick Henry’s new deal is a good sign for the Minnesota Vikings running back.

Dalvin Cook has never been looking to force the Minnesota Vikings to give him some sort of record-breaking new contract. Cook just knows he’s one of the top running backs in the NFL right now and he wants to be paid more than the $1.3 million he’s scheduled to make this year.

Despite his incredible talent, there are still plenty of people who believe the Vikings should avoid giving their top running back a lucrative extension. But the “Don’t Pay Running Backs” fan club took a big hit on Wednesday when the Tennessee Titans decided to give Derrick Henry a new deal.

Henry and the Titans reportedly agreed to a four-year contract worth up to $50 million that also includes $25.5 million in guarantees. For those looking for some help with the math, that’s an average yearly salary of $12.5 million.

Dalvin Cook should be able to get his money from the Minnesota Vikings

Heading into the 2020 season, the majority of teams around the league would likely select Cook to be their starting running back over Henry. With his ability to be a big-time threat as a receiver in addition to his rushing skills, the current Minnesota running back just allows an offense to do so much more than Henry.

So if the Tennessee running back is able to get a new deal that pays him $12.5 million per season, why can’t Cook get something similar?

What Henry was able to get from the Titans is right around the amount that Cook has been asking for from the Vikings. With his ability to be more versatile, some would argue that the Minnesota running back deserves a new contract that pays him even more than Henry.

Whatever the Vikings’ intentions are with Cook, Wednesday’s news still sends a message to those who believe teams shouldn’t pay running backs.

Squads like Minnesota and Tennessee who have essentially built their offenses around the talents of their top running back have set themselves up to really have no other choice than to cough up the cash.

With training camp currently scheduled to begin in about two weeks, will we see the Vikings become the next team to reward their top rusher with a lucrative extension sooner than later?