Dalvin Cook wants to be paid or wants out of Minnesota. Here’s why the Steelers could make the Vikings an offer for the Pro Bowl running back.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that the Steelers are in the closing seasons of a championship window that originally opened when Pittsburgh drafted Ben Roethlisberger back in 2004. Older fans know exactly what it’s like to go from a Hall-of-Fame quarterback to years of a dry spout in desperate search of a franchise quarterback.
Pittsburgh fans unfortunately suffered through that for nearly a 20-year span between the end of Terry Bradshaw’s career and the beginning of Roethlisberger’s. Knowing how difficult it is to find a legitimate franchise passer, the Steelers should be doing everything in their power to capitalize on this rapidly closing window.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Minnesota Vikings running back, Dalvin Cook, would not be showing up for any team activities unless he received a “reasonable” deal. Here’s what Schefter had to say:
Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook no longer will participate in any team-related activities until and unless he receives a “reasonable” deal, a source said Monday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2020
“He’s out,” a source told ESPN. “Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond.”
Cook is clearly not happy about his current situation in Minnesota and the 2019 Pro Bowl running back is no doubt feeling underappreciated. Last year, Cook was one of the league’s most productive running backs – managing 1,135 yards on the ground and 519 yards through the air to go with his 13 rushing touchdowns. Cook’s base salary in 2020 is just $1.3 million and his contract expires after this season.
Though the Steelers aren’t exactly overflowing with a surplus of extra spending money, they may be able to work something out with the Vikings.
James Conner has proven to be a capable player for Pittsburgh when healthy, but there is an obvious talent gap between him and Cook. Like Cook, Conner’s contract is up after the 2020 season. Because both players are currently on cheap deals, perhaps Minnesota would accept James Conner in addition to a few mid-round draft choices in exchange for Dalvin Cook.
Obviously, there is the issue with getting Cook paid – which is something that would be admittedly hard to do, considering the other stars who will soon have expiring contracts. However, Cook would give the Steelers offense a clear boost in a closing Super Bowl window. If the price is right, it’s something they should consider doing.
The clock is quickly winding down on Pittsburgh’s window to make one last Super Bowl run before Ben Roethlisberger calls it quits. Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the league. Adding him to an arsenal of offensive weapons on a team that already has a great defense could give the Steelers the boost they need to push them over the hump.