Mike McDaniel Shuts Down Dalvin Cook Question Amid Rumors of Dolphins’ Interest

With the Pro Bowl running back now a free agent, Miami is a possible suitor—but McDaniel wasn’t taking the bait.

With the Vikings set to release star running back Dalvin Cook on Friday, the NFL world was quick to project which teams might be poised to pick him up. The Dolphins appear to be a good fit for Cook—though coach Mike McDaniel was not taking the bait when asked about the possibility on Thursday.

During his media session, the issue was raised to the second-year coach, who had a humorous response as he eluded the question and declined to speculate on the possibility of bringing in any available players.

“March 3, 1983, the day I was born. Now, we take a closer look at that date, and that, in fact, was not yesterday … you’re not gonna get this guy,” McDaniel quipped. “I’m Year 2.”

Mike McDaniel was asked about the possibility of adding Dalvin Cook

His response: I wasn’t born yesterday 😂 pic.twitter.com/3esEyZw2Nf

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) June 8, 2023

The 40-year-old coach went on to discuss Miami’s veteran minicamp, effectively brushing past the topic of Cook. That certainly doesn’t mean the team has no interest in Cook, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport including the Dolphins among teams that are “set to inquire” about the experienced ballcarrier.

Cook, who turns 28 in August, has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons. He’s spent his entire six-year career with the Vikings after Minnesota selected him with the 41st pick in the 2017 draft. Cook has averaged over 1,600 yards from scrimmage across the past four seasons, with 46 total touchdowns during that span.