Dalvin Cook: Minnesota Vikings reportedly set to release four-time Pro Bowl running back

Dalvin ​​​​​​​Cook carried a salary cap hit of $14.1m this season, $15.6m in 2024 and $13.5m in the last year of his contract in 2025. Instead, by releasing him, the Minnesota Vikings will incur a dead cap hit of $5.1m

The Minnesota Vikings have informed star running back Dalvin Cook that they plan to release him, according to multiple reports in the US on Thursday.

Cook, a second-round draft pick in 2017, has been named to four-straight Pro Bowls off the back of four 1,000-yard season with the team.

The 27-year-old logged 1,173 yards, averaging 4.4 per carry, and 10 total touchdowns in 2022, but Minnesota are looking to move on as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Cook carried a salary cap hit of $14.1m this season, $15.6m in 2024 and $13.5m in the last year of his contract in 2025. Instead, by releasing him, the Vikings will incur a dead cap hit of $5.1m.

Cook’s salary for 2023 would have been the third-highest for a running back in the league, behind Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans and Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns.