Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has had a rollercoaster start to his NFL career, appearing in just 29 of a possible 48 contests. However, in those games, Cook has been as lethal as any other back in the league and will now be compensated accordingly. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Cook will sign a 5-year, $63 million contract extension with Minnesota. The Vikings confirmed Cook’s extension via their Twitter page.
No franchise tag situation in Minnesota: Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook and the #Vikings have agreed to a 5yr, $63M extension, sources tell @RapSheet and me. After just 29 career games, Cook locks in over $28M guaranteed.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 12, 2020
?????????
The Chef is here to stay! pic.twitter.com/PzdUq7t3Et
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 12, 2020
After missing all but four games his rookie season, Dalvin Cook has bounced back in spectacular fashion. Cook again was hampered by injury in his sophomore season, appearing in only 11 games, but it was this past season when he truly broke out as a star.
Cook played 14 games last season, rushing for 1,135 yards and compiling 13 touchdowns. Cook was electric in nearly every matchup last season and served as a prolific complement to quarterback Kirk Cousins out of the backfield.
Now heading into his fourth season, Cook will again be relied upon to carry the Vikings on the ground. Though some may believe rewarding a running back with an extensive history of injuries may not be the wisest decision, Cook is just the latest ball-carrier to earn a pay raise this offseason. Cook joins Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffery, Joe Mixon and Alvin Kamara as notable star backs to earn contract extensions in recent months.
