Dalvin Cooks’ impending exit from Vikings, impact on Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Whether running back Dalvin Cook will stay with the Minnesota Vikings remains to be seen, though that’s highly unlikely.
Since the NFL Combine in April, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn’t spoken much about Cook’s future with the franchise, however, he has yet to confirm that the four-time pro-bowler will be on the team’s 2023 roster. .
Adofo-Mensah has extended a contract with No. 2 running back Alexander Mattison, guaranteeing him $6.35 million over the next two seasons. The 24-year-old said he returned due to an ‘understanding of how this is all going and how it’s all going to work’.
While the Vikings are likely to make Cook’s departure official before the season, that’s not done as Adofo-Mensah said in the spring he could see both running backs on the same team in 2023.
As of June 2, the Vikings had the option to trade Cook and save $11 million off the salary cap, in addition to getting a mid-to-late draft pick.
If the Vikings choose to trade or release him, the Chicago Bears will continue to be a potential landing spot for Cook. He would join a full-back team that included D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson.
During the 2022 season, Cook had 1,173 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.