Former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is “looking forward” to the next step in his career, but the 27-year-old isn’t in any rush to decide where he’ll land.
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Tuesday, Cook addressed what would be next for him after the Vikings released him last week.
Cook said on the show that he was excited to be a “great team player” where he can help his new team win some games.
Cook added that plenty of people reached out to him to gauge what he had been thinking about with his future, and the running back has said he wants to find the right fit where he can succeed.
“I want the value,” Cook said. “I want somebody who values Dalvin Cook. I want somebody that wants me to be there and give me the ball. I just want to go into the right situation so I can go help somebody win. Like you said, the money is going to come. If you play good, they’re going to pay you.
“I just want to go somewhere where it feels like it’s home to me and help somebody win and just go be me. Just go turn it loose and look for a home. That’s it.”
Money, as Cook said, will play a key role in where he is headed next.
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The Vikings had been unwilling to cough up the $14 million he was owed this season, and Cook was not inclined to restructure his contract.
While Cook isn’t looking for that same $14 million from another team, the Miami Herald reported that he’s looking for around $10 million per year in a new deal.
It’s unclear, how his market will shake out, but the Broncos are reportedly out on the 27-year-old while Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the team will “turn the stones over” in deciding whether to pursue cook or not.
On the radio show, Cook discussed the tough running back market that has seen teams be more reluctant to shell out big money for the position.
Cook, who broke out in 2019 and has racked up four straight seasons of 1,100-plus rushing yards, said he thinks running backs still produce a lot of value for a team.
“It’s the running back position. I think people overlooking this position, not thinking, they are overlooking this position,” Cook said. “It is about the quarterback position, but I think it start and stop with the running back position. I think we just have to get back to that.
“Just playing good football. … It’s a sad situation that people just don’t value the running back position, but that don’t stop us from playing good football.”
