Vikings seem to be making progress on Dalvin Cook extension

Dalvin Cook wants to be in Minnesota, and the Vikings are matching that enthusiasm

Dalvin Cook is doing all the right things while he awaits a contract extension from the Minnesota Vikings. The team has limited his workload in practice as they take care of the business side of things.

That’s smart for both parties. Cook is facing two possibilities: becoming one of the highest-paid running backs in the league (though he’s unlikely to get Christian McCaffrey money) or playing out the last year of his contract which would pay him $1.3 million this season.

The Vikings need to pay Dalvin Cook what he has earned

The fourth-year running back saw his number of snaps (615), snap percentage (59.4 percent), and rushing yards (1,135) increase last season. He ran for his first 1,000-yard season and continues to give the Vikings offense breathing room averaging over four yards-per-carry.

Cook is a threat to hurt an opposing defense when the Vikings run the ball off tackle. He also shows a burst of speed when running inside the tackles. He was among the top-10 running backs in rushing last season and the fourth-best running back in the NFC.

Cook playing out the last year of his contract and producing at a high level could be huge for him, but it’s a risk neither side should want to take. A top-five finish in total yards, yards per carry and touchdowns would put him in an excellent spot, but another injury could be devastating.

The Vikings are also risking Cook ascending and the market reflecting his status as one of the best backs in the game. Paying him now would be beneficial for both sides.