NFL Rumors: Seahawks QB shopping, Steelers big extension, and shocking Vikings cap casualty

NFL Rumors: Vikings could release RB Dalvin Cook to escape cap space hell

The Minnesota Vikings already have their hands full with Kirk Cousin’s quarterback contract. Add in Justin Jefferson’s presumed extension and Dalvin Cook’s cap situation, and the Vikings have quite a few critical decisions to make this offseason.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked whether Cook would remain on the roster, and he noted that the star running back was a “great player and great leader” but that the team had “a lot of constraints” and was in the process of figuring out how to move forward given their salary cap limitations.

According to Spotrac, Minnesota is roughly $20 million over the cap for 2023, an undesirable financial predicament for a team that hasn’t yet locked down its starting quarterback and top wide receiver.

Similar to Ezekiel Elliott’s situation in Dallas, Cook’s relationship with the Vikings has been put under more and more strain as the franchise fumbles its way through salary cap hell. The 27-year-old back will have a $14.1 million cap hit next season, a number that Minnesota wants to lower against Cook’s wishes.

If the Vikings choose to trade or cut Cook after June 1, they would eat around $3 million in dead cap but save $11 million. With Justin Jefferson clearly standing out as Minnesota’s darling, the team could be amenable to releasing Cook and using the money to pay Jefferson.

As for potential landing spots, Cook would be a tantalizing target for any RB-needy team given his consistency (he has four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons) and dual-threat abilities, and the Bills, Broncos, and Dolphins immediately come to mind as worthy suitors.

In Cook’s absence, the Vikings may lean on backup Alexander Mattison and probably sign a cheaper tailback in free agency. Cousins, Jefferson, Cook — Minnesota just can’t keep ’em all.