In a decision that left the NFL community abuzz, the Minnesota Vikings officially released their star running back Dalvin Cook on Friday. Despite being a critical asset to the Vikings over his six-year tenure, in which he averaged over 1,600 yards from scrimmage across the past four seasons, Cook is now officially a free agent, as per the report from NFL.com.
This move comes on the heels of unsuccessful attempts by the Vikings to trade the dynamic tailback, leaving NFL enthusiasts guessing which team might snag Cook next. Cook, 27, coming off a season where he rushed for 1,173 yards and caught 39 passes for 295 yards, with a total of 10 touchdowns, has shown no signs of slowing down, amplifying the eagerness of teams to add him to their roster.
The shift in Minnesota's strategy appears to lean towards giving a bigger role to Alexander Mattison, Cook's backup. Having recently re-signed with the team in March, the 24-year-old Mattison is set to be the Vikings' primary running back, following his record of 1,670 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 404 carries over the last four seasons.
Vegas apparently had already priced in Cook's impending release. As per the consensus of seven sportsbooks from Pregame.com, the Vikings' Super Bowl odds remained at 50/1 after the news. Their Over/Under Win Total remained at Over/Under of 8.5 with the juice weighted toward the Over (-130), indicating Vegas expectations of 8.7 wins.
Meanwhile, Week 1's betting line for the Vikings' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is holding steady at Minnesota -6.5. The news of Cook's release did not seem to impact the opening lines significantly, implying that Vegas had already factored in the potential departure of the Vikings' star running back.
Alternatively, one might argue that RB's regular regression in their later twenties points to Cook's value being diminished versus previous seasons. On his podcast, 'Unexpected Points' NFL analytics guru, Kevin Cole discussed that Cook's net value added in the 2022 season had been drastically reduced when compared to prior seasons. Moreover, Cole states that despite his solid counting-stats profile in 2022, Cook's value above replacement was minimal last season.
BetOnline.ag, in response to Cook's release, has set up a market for bettors to place wagers on Cook's next team. Currently, the Miami Dolphins are leading as favorites with odds at -300, followed by the New York Jets at +250.
Dalvin Cook Next Team?
Miami Dolphins -300
New York Jets +250
Buffalo Bills +500
Cincinnati Bengals +1000
Dallas Cowboys +1100
Baltimore Ravens +1600
Philadelphia Eagles +1800
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1800
Chicago Bears +2000
New England Patriots +2000
San Francisco 49ers +2000
New Orleans Saints +2500
Los Angeles Rams +3300
(Odds as per BetOnline as of June 10th, 2023)
Over the last 24 hours, the prospects of the Dolphins securing Cook have surged noticeably. As of Friday morning, the Dolphins were seen as +100, or 'even money', favorites to onboard Cook. However, this status has since changed dramatically, with them now standing as -300 favorites as of Saturday morning's report.
Interestingly, during a recent media interaction, Dolphins' coach Mike McDaniel, when probed about the possibility of Cook joining his team, side-stepped the question with a dose of humor.
“March 3, 1983, the day I was born. Now, we take a closer look at that date, and that, in fact, was not yesterday … you’re not gonna get this guy,” McDaniel quipped, deflecting any speculation about possible roster additions. “I’m Year 2.”
After skillfully dodging the topic of Cook, the 40-year-old coach swiftly redirected the conversation towards Miami's veteran minicamp. However, McDaniel's diversionary tactics do not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in Cook. On the contrary, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport has named the Dolphins among teams that are “set to inquire” about the seasoned running back.
Cook, poised to turn 28 this August, is no stranger to accolades. The four-time Pro Bowler has dedicated his entire six-year career to the Vikings, who drafted him as the 41st pick in 2017. Over the past four seasons, Cook has averaged over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, recording 46 total touchdowns in the process.
This development significantly impacts not only the Minnesota Vikings but also alters strategies and shifts betting markets across the NFL. As Cook looks for a new home, NFL fans and sports bettors alike wait with bated breath to see where the Pro Bowl running back lands.
--
Related: Arizona Cardinals Release WR DeAndre Hopkins: Vegas Reacts, Next Team Odds
Get Real-Time Updates: Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NHL & NBA Playoffs with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore
Special Offer: $25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Read More: For more articles, odds, and expert picks, check out Pregame news.