Minnesota Vikings break off contract talks with Dalvin Cook

Contract talks between Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings have ended.

It doesn’t seem like Dalvin Cook is getting a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings any time soon.

According to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network, “Contract talks broke off Tuesday between the Vikings and star RB Dalvin Cook…Talks could restart later, of course. But for now, Cook has said he’s focused on Week 1 as he enters last year of his rookie deal, with franchise tag looming in 2021.” Will Cook and the Vikings get a deal done or will he end up being tagged?

How concerned should Minnesota Vikings fans be about Dalvin Cook’s contract?

With Cook in the final year of his four-year rookie deal out of Florida State University, the former second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft feels like he’s destined to be slapped with the franchise tag by Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Though he could garner a multi-year deal like Derrick Henry did this offseason with the Tennessee Titans after getting tagged, don’t count on it.

Cook will need to have a season akin to what Henry did for the Titans to get a deal like that done this offseason. With contract talks broken off before the start of the campaign, there is no reason to expect Cook to be focused on anything other than helping the Vikings win enough games to get to the Super Bowl. His representation and Spielman could strike up a conversation at a later date.

This is right move for both parties at this time. Cook needs to go out there and ball for the Vikings. If he goes out and rushes for a career-best in yardage, no doubt will he secure the bag. Whether that’s on the franchise tag on a multi-year deal, it’ll be more money than he’s ever made in his life, assuming he doesn’t get hurt this season, which would be absolutely terrible for all involved.

As for Spielman and the Vikings brass, it serves the organization to focus on the season ahead. Not only are the Vikings have to try to beat a different team each week, but they are tasked with also combating the coronavirus. There is only so much time in a day to be spent on preparation. Maybe the occasional talk with Cook’s representation wouldn’t hurt, but it’s not paramount now.

Contract talks may have stopped, but a lack of negotiations won’t stop Cook from playing in 2020.