On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings informed running back Dalvin Cook that they planned to release him. Before doing so, they are going to make one more effort to trade him.
When they do inevitably release him, the salary cap situation for the Vikings will be a lot healthier for both 2023 and 2024. Upon his release, the Vikings will have $18.75 million in cap space in 2023 per Over The Cap. That money will make a difference for the Vikings in trying to sign wide receiver Justin Jefferson and edge rusher Danielle Hunter to long-term contracts.
The 2024 salary cap is in an even better spot. With a Cook release, $12.5 million of the $15.6 million comes off the books giving the Vikings a total of $54.3 million in salary cap space.
The dead money is a frustrating element. After securing $2 million guaranteed with his shoulder surgery back in February, Cook will cost the Vikings $8.2 million in dead cap over the next two seasons.
The Vikings are continuing to reshape the roster which gives them financial flexibility. Moving on from veterans on bad contracts that Rick Spielman signed during his tenure is what they are doing to get there.