Dalvin Cook Not Satisfied With Dolphins’ Offer?

All signs continue to point to a contract eventually being worked out between free agent Dalvin Cook and the Dolphins. For that to happen, though, the Pro Bowl back will need a more lucrative offer to be made.

During an NFL Live appearance, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Cook is “not willing to accept” the contract which is currently on the table from the Dolphins (video link). News of the Miami offer came out more than one week ago, but it was noted at the time that other suitors would be in the running to land the 27-year-old. To little surprise, Cook has been expected to wait until at least training camp to decide on a new destination.

Darlington adds that mutual interest remains between Cook and the Dolphins, so a homecoming for the longtime Viking is still very much in the cards. Cook has made clear his openness to joining Miami, adding that he is eyeing a starter’s workload on whichever team he signs with. The Dolphins have a crowded backfield as is, but its members would seem to welcome the addition of Cook, an 1,100-yard rusher in each of the past four seasons.

As things stand, the top competition to land the Florida State alum Miami is set to face is from the division rival Jets and Patriots. Cook would give each AFC East team a considerable boost in the running game, and serious bids from two or more of them (along with any other suitors, of course) would benefit his earning power on a new deal. Financial terms will be a crucial element in Cook’s ongoing free agent process, one which looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Darlington confirms that nothing is imminent with respect to a decision from Cook, with training camps set to open later this month. Before that point, however, the franchise tag deadline will arrive, something which Darlington notes could be worth watching. Three running backs – Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard – will need to have a new contract in place before July 17 to avoid playing on the $10.1MM franchise tag. The value of any multi-year deals they sign before that date could boost Cook’s asking price despite the RB market yielding few notable contracts so far this offseason.

With a standing offer still in place, Cook obviously remains a target for the Dolphins. How willing they are to dip into their $13.6MM in cap space will be worth watching in the coming days, particularly if he finds leverage in negotiations through either a more widespread individual market or notable contracts for other backs.