Did the trade value for Vikings RB Dalvin Cook just plummet?

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook reportedly underwent surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday, something that could potentially impact his trade value.

In 2022, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook finished with more than 1,100 rushing yards for the fourth season in a row. By doing this, Cook joined Adrian Peterson as the only two running backs in Vikings history to rush for at least 1,100 yards in four consecutive seasons.

So why did it feel like Cook had an off year? Well, it’s probably because he did. Even though his final totals ranked among the league’s top running backs, his performances throughout the 2022 campaign lacked consistency.

Cook had six games with 90 rushing yards or more during the 2022 season. However, he also finished with 45 rushing yards or less in five of Minnesota’s matchups during the 2022 campaign. Entering each game, the Vikings didn’t really know what sort of performance they were going to get from their starting running back.

Trade value of Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has possibly taken a tumble

With Minnesota in need of creating some salary cap space this offseason and Cook currently scheduled to have a cap hit of more than $14.1 million in 2023, some have wondered if the Vikings will attempt to trade the veteran running back this year.

However, Cook’s value in any sort of trade likely just went down after he reportedly underwent surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Minnesota’s top running back is expected to be fully recovered from his shoulder operation in time for the 2023 regular season, but any possibility of the team trading him within the next few weeks likely went out the window.

In order for Cook to be traded, it is required that he be able to pass his new team’s physical. Now that he is about to begin the recovery process after his shoulder surgery, the chances of him passing a physical in the near future are very slim.

It’s possible that the Vikings could find a trade partner for Cook during the summer or before the 2023 trade deadline. But if he’s still on the roster by then, it might actually be in Minnesota’s best interest to keep him on their roster.