There’s no disputing that Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is one of the better running backs in the league.
Cook enters the final year of his rookie contract and the Vikings have a decision to make for the running back who had more than 1,600 all-purpose yards in 2019 to go with 13 touchdowns.
This is a bit complicated, though. Cook has also missed 19 games through the first three years of his career.
If you take a look at the highest-paid running backs for 2020, it’s not a very flattering list.
Todd Gurley is due $17.25 million. Le’Veon Bell is due $15.4 million. David Johnson is due $14.1 million. The only defensible player in the top five is Ezekiel Elliott, who is due $10.9 million.
What makes players like Rasheem Mostert (due $3.2 million in 2020), Josh Jacobs ($2.7 million) and Aaron Jones ($2.19 million) so valuable is that they are good, but they also give team’s financial flexibility at a position that has proven to be somewhat replaceable.
Let’s not forget that Alexander Mattison ran for 462 yards on 100 carries last season. He’s due just $624,500 in 2020.
The Vikings are certainly a better team with Cook than without, but Rick Spielman and Co. will have to make the smart move for the franchise, not the emotional one.
