Dalvin Cook Will Go Down as One of the Vikings' Best Running Backs Ever

In just six seasons, Cook put his name towards the top of the franchise's statistical leaderboards.

Dalvin Cook, whose exit from the Vikings has now been confirmed, will go down as one of the best running backs in the history of the franchise.

In just six seasons and 73 regular season games, Cook placed himself near the top of the Vikings' statistical leaderboards. His 5,993 rushing yards ranks third, behind only Adrian Peterson and Robert Smith. In rushing yards per game, he jumps ahead of Smith into second. His 47 rushing touchdowns are fourth, behind Peterson, Chuck Foreman, and Bill Brown. He's ninth in franchise history in total touchdowns with 52, as one of only ten Vikings to ever score at least 50 TDs.

After dealing with injuries in his first two seasons, Cook made four consecutive Pro Bowls over the last four years, averaging over 1,600 yards from scrimmage in that span despite only playing the entire season once (last year). Only Peterson and Foreman made more than four Pro Bowls during their careers as a Vikings running back.

Cook's best season came in 2020, when he racked up 1,918 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns on 356 touches, despite missing two games. He had a truly ridiculous two-week stretch in early November where he went for 226 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers and 252 yards and two touchdowns agains the Lions in consecutive weeks, basically single-handedly leading the 1-5 Vikings to two much-needed wins against division rivals. From Week 8 to Week 15, Cook had at least 100 yards in seven of eight games, including five with at least 159 yards.

Peterson is very clearly the greatest running back in Vikings history, and as one of the best in league history, it's highly unlikely he will ever be unseated. Cook is right there in that second tier with Foreman and Smith. He may not have played long enough in Minnesota to wind up in the Ring of Honor, but he'll go down as one of the best, most dynamic RBs to ever don the purple and gold.

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