Dalvin Cook’s reported contract demands are absurd

Dalvin Cook is willing to hold out if the Vikings don’t meet his demands, but they could be a bit steep.

The Minnesota Vikings were already having a curious offseason, and then all went AWOL on Monday evening, when ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed Dalvin Cook intends on holding out from training camp if he doesn’t receive an adequate contract extension.

What’s even more unfortunate for the Vikings is the caliber of deal Cook is looking for. At just 24 years old, the Florida State product wants a contract that not only mirrors that of Christian McCaffrey, but exceeds it. To put it simply: That will not fly.

Should the Vikings give in to Dalvin Cook’s contract demands?

Per ESPN’s Vikings reporter Courtney Cronin, Cook wants a deal greater than $16 million per season.

The length of said contract demand is still unknown, but McCaffrey’s deal added four years onto the end of his current financial agreement in Carolina. In a league where it’s becoming less popular to pay running backs long-term, Cook may get a rude awakening as to where his true value lies.

McCaffrey’s argument was simple — he doubled as a wide receiver and is about the only consistent threat on the Panthers offense now that Cam Newton is gone. Unless Cook is trying to make the same claim, which is an idea Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen would surely disagree with, his odds at receiving the same caliber of contract is unlikely.

Cook is a victim of timing, and the Rams’ decision to cut Todd Gurley at age 26 will hurt him. Cook also has an injury history, suffering a torn ACL his rookie season and shoulder and hamstring ailments in college. If Gurley and Melvin Gordon are any indication, the value at the position is decreasing rapidly.

We applaud Cook for trying to cash in, but Rick Spielman isn’t a chump.