Dalvin Cook says Vikings' scheme didn't match his 'bread and butter'
Former Vikings running Dalvin Cook "anticipated" his release this offseason after six years in Minnesota.
In an interview on The Adam Schefter Podcast, the 27-year-old said the Vikings' move towards a pass-first offense led him to anticipate he would be released.
"The move was anticipated because I'm a three-down back," said Cook. "Running the ball, outside zone, inside zone, that's what I do. That's my bread and butter. That's not their scheme. They want to get the ball out wide to the guys outside and they want to toss the ball around. That's not what I'm looking forward to do. I want somebody that's going to ground and pound, and we're going to make plays on the outside and I'm going to help somebody win. That was just the move I anticipated."
Cook didn't sound like a man upset about being released.
"The relationship between me, [Kevin O'Connell], [Kwesi Adofo-Mensah], all of us is just love. I appreciate them coming in and being the people they was. Making sure Dalvin Cook the person was OK every day I walked into the building. They good people and everything," he said.
After being cut June 9, Cook became a free agent for the first time in his career.
"Yeah it is strange to me," Cook said "Just to take this next step in life and continue this journey of being a professional football player, I'm looking forward to it. It's different. It's a different vibe. I just work out by myself. I just rehab and spend time with my family. It's been great, man."
Cook wants to "contend for a Super Bowl" wherever ends up next. Teams rumored previously to have interest in him are the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins even suggested that if Cook doesn't find a good fit elsewhere that he could return to the Vikings.
"I'm looking for that value of Dalvin Cook," he explained. "If I walk into a situation it's going to be a situation where I can help someone take that next step and trying to go get the Lombardi Trophy. That's all I got my mind on. The money part is going to come. That's my agent's part. Me, Dalvin Cook, I'm looking for someone who is ready to go win. I could be the piece to help somebody to turn the page to go win and turn the franchise to go win the Lombardi Trophy. That's all I want."
As for when that's going to happen?
"Me and my agent have ongoing conversation everyday," said Cook. "I don't know if a quick decision is best for me or a waiting decision is for me. I want to put the teams that want Dalvin Cook into perspective."
