Vikings to release Dalvin Cook; Patriots AFC East rival a top suitor

Dalvin Cook’s time with the Vikings is coming to an end.

Minnesota is expected to release the four-time Pro Bowler, who has spent all six seasons of his career with the Vikings, on Friday, according to multiple reports Thursday morning.

Cook is coming off his fourth consecutive season with 1,000 yards and is expected to “have multiple suitors,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

Two of those suitors, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, are the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos, who “have been monitoring Cook for weeks.” Schefter added that the Vikings will try to trade Cook “one more time” before releasing him.

A trade could prove difficult with Cook’s $10.4 million base salary, which Minnesota reportedly doesn’t want to pay. The Vikings reportedly were “very close” to sending him to the Dolphins in March, which would have put him alongside a stacked offense that includes Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

If and when Cook is officially let go, Minnesota will save $9 million against the cap and the 27-year-old will be free to sign with any other team. The Vikings still will owe the running back $2 million if they release him.

The Miami Herald reported that it’s a “real possibility” Cook would sign with the Dolphins, who he’s been linked to for weeks, should the Vikings release him.

Adding Cook to Miami’s offense would give the team an RB1 — something the Dolphins didn’t feature last year after going with a running back rotation.

Cook is coming off a fourth straight Pro Bowl season despite averaging a career-low in yards-per-carry (4.4) He still is a productive player, though, and finished last season with 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns.

Alexander Mattison is expected to be the Vikings’ RB1 once Cook is released or traded.

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