4 Vikings players impacted the most by the trade for Yannick Ngakoue

Dalvin Cook – RB

Following an impressive 2019 campaign, Dalvin Cook was hoping his performance would result in a brand-new contract from the Vikings this offseason.

Based on the compliments that were being thrown around from both sides, it seemed like there was a good chance that Cook and Minnesota would get a deal done this year. However, contract talks recently broke off between the Vikings and their running back and the chance of an extension being completed definitely took a hit with the team’s addition of Yannick Ngakoue.

As much as Mike Zimmer loves running backs, he’s a head coach with a defensive background. So when it comes to choosing between paying a running back or a pass rusher, Zimmer is likely going to always be in favor of keeping the guy who improves his team on the defensive side of the backfield.

Based on Minnesota’s current salary cap situation, they won’t be able to re-sign both Cook and Ngakoue when they become free agents in 2021. So the Vikings will probably have to figure out which guy they’re willing to pay to keep around past the upcoming season.

Minnesota always has a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to bringing back their own players (see Anthony Barr). But finding the money to pay both Cook and Ngakoue next year is going to be extremely difficult, even for a salary cap guru like Rob Brzezinski.