Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook is now a free agent after being released by the Minnesota Vikings today. He can now sign anywhere he wants but may take some time to have meetings before putting pen to paper.
Rumors have circulated for weeks and even months about where Cook might be playing in 2023. Everyone from contenders to rebuilders have been named as possible destinations.
Here are three potential landing spots that could either wind up signing Cook or serve as a good fit for the four-time Pro Bowler:
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins should be the top pick to take Dalvin Cook and it will honestly be a tad surprising if they don’t wind up getting him.
Between Cook’s Florida roots, the Dolphins’ previous efforts to get him and Miami’s near-constant need for backfield support in order to pick up the slack in the event of a quarterback injury, Cook would not only come in and fit the offense, he’d probably start right away.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have spent no expense this offseason trying to rebuild around their rising star quarterback Justin Fields. But while they’ve addressed needs at wide receiver and the offensive line, they could probably benefit from an elite running back to support him.
Dalvin Cook could step in and immediately replace David Montgomery, who joined the Detroit Lions. More importantly, the Bears have the most cap space in the league and could easily match any offer from any other team.
With the NFC North expected to be wide open this year, Cook could be the final piece to a playoff puzzle just one year removed from going 3-14.
San Francisco 49ers
Why would Dalvin Cook join a 49ers team that already seems to have its starting running back in Christian McCaffrey and one of the largest backfields in the entire league? Simple: A smooth ride to a deep playoff run.
The 49ers are probably a longshot but they’d be a good fit for Cook. Their top two running backs, McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, have also dealt with injuries over the past couple of years and having Cook would give them arguably the best three-headed monster at running back the NFL has seen in recent memory.
It doesn’t hurt that the 49ers also recently hired Klint Kubiak as their passing game coordinator. Kubiak worked with the Vikings while Cook was in Minnesota for several of his best seasons.
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Where do you think Cook will wind up?