The Titans reached an agreement with their starting running back, Derrick Henry, in the form of a multi-year deal. Now, all eyes shift on other teams that need to figure out contract situations with their top running backs.
One of those teams is the Vikings. Minnesota’s starting running back, Dalvin Cook, has his rookie deal run out after the 2020 NFL season. However, Cook will reportedly refrain from team-related activities until he receives a reasonable deal.
Henry received a four-year, $50 million contract from Tennessee. Based on that, Bleacher Report predicted that Cook could get a three-year, $38 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. Here’s what the outlet said about that:
“Even though he was one of the NFL’s most productive backs with 1,654 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns last year, health concerns could prevent him from landing the lucrative extension he’s seeking. That could change in 2020, but he doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt for now.”
Three years and $38 million equates out to a little over $12.6 million a year. The Athletic’s Chad Graff reported earlier this offseason that Cook is looking for money more like what David Johnson is getting, so around $13 million a year. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin wrote that sources say Cook would gladly take $13 million.
Maybe that’s enough to bridge the gap between the two. To me, it seems like a deal that could benefit both parties. Vikings fans will have to see whether a deal similar to that will be reached.