Dalvin Cook 'not in a rush' to sign with new NFL team

There were all the off-season trade rumors. And now Dalvin Cook is a free agent. However, even with all the chatter, don’t count on the now-former Viking making a team decision any time soon.

This is according to ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano. He gave a Dalvin Cook update Wednesday morning. Although NFL fans are talking about Cook — especially the Dolphins faithful — there doesn’t appear to be an imminent signing on the horizon.

“Not a lot (to share),” Graziano said. “He was released by the Minnesota Vikings last week and his market really has yet to take shape. Most people around the league that I talk to seem to think the Miami Dolphins are the leader in this race, but he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. In fact, he went on, I believe, Rich Eisen’s show and said he’s not in a rush. I would imagine this picks up a little bit closer to training camp.”

Since training camps begin in mid to late July, Dalvin Cook can relax a while before he makes a big move. He’s got the stats to make a big pitch to interested teams, with four straight seasons of rushing for at least 1,100 yards. But will he receive big numbers on a check? That’s the big question for Cook and all running backs in the NFL. Former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott still hasn’t found a home after Dallas waived him in March. Neither has Leonard Fournette, who received his walking papers from the Bucs.

Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley is trying for more money with the Giants. New York gave him the franchise tag, but Barkley isn’t attending mandatory mini-camp this week. And over in Vegas, Josh Jacobs also is trying for more money. The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Jacobs, the league’s leading rusher in 2022. And like Barkley, he’s a no-show at mini-camp. He tweeted: “We gotta do it for the ones after us.”

Ultimately, the Vikings opted not to keep Dalvin Cook, despite his big rushing numbers because his cost was too high. Cook was set to make $14 million — $10.4 million in salary — in 2023. However, Minnesota wanted to restructure his deal. Cook said no. The Vikings are responsible for $2 million, then Cook becomes another team’s cap problem.

“I want the value,” Dalvin Cook told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “I want somebody who wants Dalvin Cook.” 

Cook is asking for the same salary he was due with the Vikings. To start the 2023 season, rookie Bijan Robinson, at $13.72 million, is the highest-paid running back in the NFL. San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey is next at $12 million.

Only 10 backs in the league earn more than $10 million a year. So the eyes of all NFL backs will be on Cook to see if any team makes an offer.