What makes the Minnesota Vikings weaker could make Aaron Rodgers stronger. The Green Bay Packers rival has been in the news recently regarding their future plans for running back Dalvin Cook. A new report came out Tuesday naming two teams that are showing interest in gaining Cook by trade, or should the Vikings release him, by signing in free agency.
The Vikings were in talks to trade Cook to the Miami Dolphins before the 2023 NFL Draft. Nothing came of the negotiations, and the Vikings are keeping Cook on the roster while they decide what to do with him this season.
The Vikings could keep Cook on the roster and help the offense as RB 2. Or, the Vikings could save cap space and trade or cut their All-Pro running back, as they’re unlikely to keep him through the duration of his contract that runs through the 2026 season.
The Green Bay Packers rival could help the Jets
According to Darren Wolfson with KSTP, the Vikings have two teams interested in Cook, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Jets. Wolfson said on Mackey and Judd that the Jets need an upgrade at running back, and Cook could be the solution as the team is “definitely interested” in him:
“You look at their running back position situation. Breece Hall we think will be back Week 1. The Jets have enormous expectations with Aaron Rodgers. Well, they could use an upgrade at the running back position.”
Wolfson added that he doesn’t think the Vikings are in a hurry to cut Cook. Keeping him on the roster this summer doesn’t hurt the team. They can always decide to release him before training camp if they want to go that route. Keeping him on the roster allows them to have the option to trade if one becomes available.
So far, teams are willing to chance in free agency for Cook rather than trade resources to the Vikings for him. The Vikings’ best shot to trade Cook was problems before this year’s draft. But the Jets might be the sort of team that would be a buyer for Cook in June.
Aaron Rodgers would be better with Dalvin Cook
It’ll be interesting to see if the Jets are willing to be the team that would trade for Cook. The Jets are going all-in this year to win a Super Bowl. Cook would join an explosive offense in New York, where he wouldn’t face as much pressure to lead the offense as he had to with the Vikings.
Rodgers would undoubtedly be happy to have a veteran running back to hand the ball off to in short-down situations. Cook would most certainly want to be in a place that would compete for a playoff spot. New York appears to be that kind of team this spring.
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