Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook explains why becoming a free agent was the right call

Posted on by Press Release

Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook explains why becoming a free agent was the right call
from Michael Gallagher, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com

For the first time since he was a high school senior, Dalvin Cook is fielding recruiting pitches from prospective teams lining up for his services.

Cook is a free agent for the first time in his six-year NFL career, and he has options of where he wants to play beyond just the Minnesota Vikings. While he’s been unemployed for a little over a month, Cook says he’s enjoying his newfound autonomy.

“The process is fun. You embrace it,” Cook recently told Fox 9. “If you don’t want to be wanted by people, then something’s wrong. As long as people want me, I’m good. I know I’m in the right spot. But going through this process has been fun. It’s been different every day, waking up with a different schedule. Just enjoying it. I think when it comes down to it, I just make the right decision.”

There’s no shortage of suitors for Cook, who’s rushed for over 1,100 yards with six or more rushing touchdowns each of the last four seasons, earning four straight Pro Bowl nods. The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets have all reportedly shown interest.

Cook has several offers on the table, including ones from the Vikings and Dolphins, but both deals have reportedly been turned down as neither offers the kind of money he’s seeking, which is close to the $14 million he was supposed to make in Minnesota this season.

While the Jets have been gaining steam as a potential dark horse, the Dolphins are the rumored front-runner to land Cook, who even said himself he would be a “perfect fit” in Miami’s offense under head coach Mike McDaniel. Those dots are easy to connect with Cook being a Miami native and playing at Miami Central High School.

However, Cook appears to be content waiting until closer to training camp, which begins the last week of July, to sign with a new team.

Per Spotrac, Cook’s estimated market value is $8.7M, and the site projects the 27-year-old running back to land a two-year, $17.5M contract with whichever team he ends up picking.