EAGAN, Minn. – Three days ahead of the Minnesota Vikings’ first padded practice of training camp, Dalvin Cook pledged to attend Monday’s session with or without a contract extension.
“I’ll be sure to be coaching, cheering, spinning the ball,” Cook said. “I’m full of closeness, one thousand percent. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to lead this young group we have. It’s a hungry group, and I love the closet we’ve got. I “I think we have some guys who have been bought and are ready for leadership. I think we can do something special this year.”
As practices begin in Minnesota, Cook remains without a new deal and is set to make $ 1.33 million on the final year of his rookie contract. The fourth-year runner reports on July 28 on time at training camp, earning him credit for the 2020 season, and has attended walk-throughs and team meetings. If he did not appear on the required reporting date, Cook would have been a limited free agent by March.
Despite talks about a holdout this entire season from Cook’s camp, the running back said he never thought of performing at training camp.
“No, that never came from me,” Cook said. “I love football, I love being with the boys. It’s like a stress reliever for me, just being on the field, being the boys, being in the locker room. That was never a thought.” t my concern.
“This is where I want to be. This is what I like to do. I would be here, despite the speculation [that] came up as [questions of] if I did not come. I would be here, ready to work. I hit all the offseasons, hit the weights, hit the field, got better at my craft and my position to get ready this year. “
With a promise to participate in practices while awaiting a resolution from his agent and the Vikings on a “reasonable” deal for his work “on and off the field,” Cook said he has not considered pursuing an insurance policy no one to protect himself in the event of an injury.
“No, we did not investigate that,” Cook said. “I think I’m the insurance policy – me, myself. I’m ready to go, I’m ready to play football. Injuries come with the game. It’s just how you deal with them. [There] was never an injury I could not fight back, and that just comes with it. I have to accept that. I put myself, my body in the best position to succeed this whole season. ‘ ‘
While Cook says he is focused on Week 1 and not looking forward to playing the season without an extension, the Vikings say they are continuing talks with his representative.
“I’m not going to sit here and talk about the business side, but I know how important Dalvin Cook is, and I know we’ve worked closely with his agent, and we’ll continue to work to see if there’s a deal that we feel is not only honest for Dalvin, but also honest for us, “said general manager Rick Spielman.
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