Vikings News: Minnesota trying to get Dalvin Cook ‘locked up’

The Minnesota Vikings remind everyone they want to keep their top running back past 2020.

Following the departure of Stefon Diggs, the biggest offseason headline for the Minnesota Vikings has been the team’s extension negotiations with running back Dalvin Cook.

Cook stopped participating in team activities back in June in an effort to make it clear to the Vikings that he wants a new deal that pays him what he’s worth.

The Minnesota running back is currently scheduled to make just over $1.3 million this year, which is less than other players from his position group around the NFL like Rex Burkhead, Peyton Barber, Latavius Murray, and Jalen Richard. Right now, 55 running backs will make more money in 2020 than Cook.

Vikings News: Extension negotiations continuing with Dalvin Cook

After recently signing a new deal of his own, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on Monday, and unsurprisingly the topic of extending Cook was brought up. Spielman wasn’t really interested in offering many details about the current negotiations with the running back, but he did make it clear that Minnesota wants to keep Cook on the roster for more than just one more season.

"“I know how important Dalvin Cook is and we’ve been working closely with his agent and we’ll continue to work to try to see if there’s a deal that we feel is not only fair to Dalvin, but fair to us as well.We’re working extremely hard with him and his agent on trying to come to a common place where we can get him locked up.”"

It is a very good sign for both the Vikings and Cook that the two sides are currently negotiating about a new contract for the talented running back. It shows that Minnesota is committed to keeping him as a part of their franchise for a long time and that Cook is likely going to get a raise that pays him much closer to what he’s worth.

The Vikings running back is coming off an impressive 2019 campaign where he set numerous single-season career highs. At 24-years-old, Cook should still have plenty of top-level production left and Minnesota is currently attempting to make sure his future accomplishments are done in a purple and gold uniform.

Judging from Spielman’s comments on Monday, it certainly sounds like the Vikings and the running back are closer than ever before to agreeing to an extension.

Full contact practices for Minnesota are set to begin on August 17. Will Cook and the Vikings agree to a new contract before he puts the pads back on this summer?