Dolphins Lead Bills in Dalvin Cook Signing Sweepstakes?

We know that Dalvin Cook's two-team wish list features the contending Bills (where he would join running back brother James) and the likely-contending Dolphins (in his hometown).

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, as of this writing, is still a trade candidate, as he has yet to be cut. But the Cook "sweepstakes'' does not seem to have a trade in the cards, as it would mean his new team taking on a bloated salary.

So while Cook has been mentioned in trade rumors for months, a Minnesota decision to cut him seems on the horizon. ... which is where the Buffalo Bills vs. the Miami Dolphins come in.

Cook's base salary for the 2023 season ($10.4 million) is a problem for the Vikings, and if/when he's cut, Cook's desire for something similar to that is likely to be a problem as well. But we already know that his two-team wish list features the contending Bills (where he would join running back brother James) and the likely-contending Dolphins (in his hometown).

And now comes word that in the event the Vikings do cut Cook, the Dolphins will "absolutely" have interest in signing the Florida State product. But there's a "but'' in the report via the Miami Herald:

"If they ultimately do release him, I would expect a Dolphins pursuit — but likely not at a salary close to the $10.4 million he’s due to make this season,'' Dolphins insider Barry Jackson writes. "Though South Florida is home for Cook and he would love to play here if he’s not in Minnesota, it’s difficult to envision Cook rejecting a significantly higher offer from another team. And until he’s on the open market, it’s impossible to tell how much he could command.''

At first blush, the report suggests a strong connection between the Dolphins and Cook. But in reality, the Herald is in a sense re-stating the obvious: Miami would like to add a Pro Bowl-caliber running back if the price is right. ... which, as it regards Cook - who had 1,173 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 264 carries last year along with 39 receptions for 295 yards and two touchdowns - is surely the exact same thought that the Bills have on him.

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