Vikings and Dalvin Cook closer to a new contract?

The Minnesota Vikings running back reported to training camp on time on Tuesday.

Back in June, it was reported that Dalvin Cook was done participating in any team-related activities for the Minnesota Vikings unless he was given a contract extension that paid him a, “reasonable,” amount.

Since Cook has yet to receive an extension from the Vikings, most assumed that he would not be reporting to the team’s training camp on time this year. However, the running back was in attendance to check into camp on Tuesday and Minnesota provided video proof on their Twitter account.

While the rules in the new CBA made reporting to training camp the best decision for Cook if he doesn’t want to become a restricted free agent in 2021, is his arrival a sign that a new deal between him and the Vikings is closer to happening?

Will the Minnesota Vikings extend their top running back before the season starts?

Let’s make this real clear before anyone jumps to conclusions that Cook is giving up on his efforts to get an extension from Minnesota this year by reporting to camp on Tuesday. The talented running back could still threaten to hold out for the majority of the season if the Vikings don’t give him a new contract in the near future.

Due to a recent rule that was put in place, if Cook is on Minnesota’s Week 1 roster and he plays in at least one game this year, then his contract won’t toll and he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

That is something the Vikings cannot afford to let happen. Minnesota has invested too much into building their offense around the skills of Cook and with their decision to trade Stefon Diggs this year, their running back will likely become an even more important part of their offensive attack.

Hopefully, his on-time arrival to Vikings training camp is more than just him avoiding the possibility of becoming a restricted free agent in 2021 and it’s an indication that the two sides are getting closer to agreeing to the extension he deserves.