Vikings Sign Dalvin Cook to Extension

EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings know they have something special in Dalvin Cook, and they’re making sure he stays in Purple. Cook signed a multi-year extension with Minnesota, the team announced Saturday. The 25-year-old’s rookie deal was set to expire after the 2020 campaign. Since being drafted 41st overall in 2017, Cook has impressed fans – and intimidated defenders – with his ability to run both with power and agility. He posted a career year in 2019, starting all 14 regular-season games he played in and racking up 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries. Cook also added 53 catches for 519 yards through the air. In the Vikings pair of postseason games, he totaled 37 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns, both of which occurred in Minnesota’s upset defeat of New Orleans in the Wild Card round.Cook’s performance last season earned him his first career trip to the Pro Bowl, along with seven of his teammates, and a placement at No. 21 on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2020. Prior to 2019, Cook navigated injuries while still garnering plenty of attention during shortened seasons. He exploded on the scene in 2017, rushing for 354 yards in four games before suffering a torn ACL that ended his rookie campaign. In 2018, he rushed for 615 yards and totaled four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) in 11 games played.Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said last month that he knows “how important” Cook is to Minnesota’s success and worked closely with his agent to arrive at an agreement. Spielman also emphasized Cook’s value to the team while speaking with media members during the NFL Scouting Combine in February. “I know Dalvin is a critical part of our offense. I know our focal point is being able to run the ball to set up play-action,” Spielman said from Indianapolis. “Just like all the young guys that we've brought in, regardless of position, if they’re football players that help us win games, and they check all the other boxes from the character side of it, and being part of our community, those are the guys we want to keep.”Cook has certainly checked the boxes that Spielman mentioned, both on the field and off. The Miami native has embraced Minnesota as his second home and has actively been involved in the community over the past three years, specifically focusing on combatting food insecurity. Dubbed “The Chef,” Cook has utilized the nickname in partnership with Vikings Table, the Minnesota Vikings Foundation’s charity food truck that launched in 2019 and serves the Twin Cities. Cook will play a significant role in Minnesota’s scheme under Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak. “Dalvin’s a great player, I don’t have to tell you guys that. He’s a great person also,” Kubiak said this summer. “I’ve been around Dalvin one year and knew a lot about him as a player when he came out. Obviously, he’s stepped to the plate and played very well. “Dalvin could teach class,” Kubiak added. “He’s that bright and that smart of a football player.”Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, who signed a contract extension of his own in July, is undoubtedly happy to have Cook sticking around for the foreseeable future. Zimmer recently named Cook one of six team captains for the season after saying he would do so during an interview on KFAN’s 9 to Noon. “I love Dalvin,” Zimmer told “Voice of the Vikings” Paul Allen. “I’m going to make him a captain because of the things he represents here and the way that he’s gone about his business and works. “I love the kid,” he reiterated. “He’s a terrific football player, but he’s been a great asset to our team and our locker room, as well.”

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Vikings Sign Dalvin Cook to Extension

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