Cooked? - Dalvin Cook Released (now a Jet!)

From PFF:

If a back is repeatedly getting stuffed at or behind the LOS, how much of that is on him vs. play calling and the offensive line?

The valuation has changed because RB's have a short shelf life and the game has moved more towards passing vs. running, and legislated less physicality in pass defense which means less wear and tear for aging WR's and TE's who want high $ contracts.  Versus RB's who are taking the same pounding they always have.   

So those contracts to aging backs don't make sense, they tie up cap space for guys whose contribution is declining versus other positions where guys can contribute even into their early 30's.   Getting a rotation of young backs on cheap deals and using them for a few years then moving on looks like the new normal.  It sucks for RB's (to the extent that making millions for a few year's work then having to find a new career "sucks"), but it's economic reality now.

And honestly at this point, I have no clue what they are thinking on Cook.   I suppose they didn't just designate a post-June 1 cut and let him test the market in March because they thought there was trade value to be had?  Sorry Kwesi, Cleveland only had 1 favor available for you and you used it up already on Z.  No team will trade for Dalvin when they know he'll just get released and then they can have him cheap.  A trade means they have to redo his overpriced contract and give up assets as well.   Why bother?

So then... bring him back if he is willing to take a cut?  You still have too much cap tied up at the position, you just gave Mattison a deal and there is some inference there that you told him he was going to be RB #1.  What does keeping Dalvin around do to the vibe in the RB room?   Not sure it would be positive for all involved.   But maybe that's what will happen.

It's why I opposed the big dollar extension that they gave Dalvin a few years back.  Yes, he has been an impact player, though that impact is steadily in decline.   But such a contract will end you up where we are now, where the Cowboys ended up with Elliot, where the Titans may be headed with Henry, etc.   The best move IMO would have been to trade him when you could literally have gotten back equal or maybe even better value than the 2nd round pick you spent to draft him.   But your organization has to think entirely more strategically than the Vikings do, or did at the time, to make that happen. 

Unless of course there is a change of heart and Mattison would then be on the trading block.