It appears the writing is on the wall regarding Dalvin Cook’s future with the Minnesota Vikings.
Destined for a split since the 2022 season ended, the Vikings have given every indication that Cook is not part of their long-term plans at the positions — a notion that was seemingly reinforced by head coach Kevin O’Connell on Tuesday as he praised the work being put in by fellow running back Alexander Mattison.
“It’s been really good to see Alex Mattison take a few more reps and really show that all three-down kind of ownership that he’s been capable of for a long time,” O’Connell told reporters. “Between Kene (Nwangwu) and Ty (Chandler), there already seems to be a nice competition brewing.”
While it’s only May, O’Connell’s comments seem to indicate that Mattison is being groomed for the starting role with Nwangwu and Chandler serving as the backups.
The Vikings signed Mattison to a two-year, $7M contract in March. And while the 24-year-old RB doesn’t have the resume or pedigree that Cook does, he has a cap hit that is $11.7M cheaper than Cook with fewer miles on his tires.
In his four-year Vikings tenure, Mattison has rushed for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He’s totaled 430 yards rushing or more in three of his four seasons, and he’s added double-digit receptions each year, including a career-high 32 receptions in 2021.
Cook has been rumored to be a post-June 1 cut or trade candidate, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Vikings part ways with him sometime in the next few weeks. The 27-year-old former second-round pick refused to take a pay cut early in the offseason, stating Minnesota always has the option to trade him.
