At this point in the offseason, it’s becoming clear that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t like what they got from the running game last year.
It started when Kevin O’Connell griped about the lack of efficiency on the ground during this year’s scouting combine. It continued when Minnesota made road-grading tight end Josh Oliver their first signing in free agency. They kept Alexander Mattison and extended C.J. Ham. But if the Vikings had their way, they would have made another big move.
According to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune, the Vikings made an offer to free-agent running back David Montgomery. The 25-year-old was one of the top backs in this year’s class, but what makes Minnesota’s pursuit interesting is that Montgomery is a starting-caliber running back.
The Chicago Bears’ second-round pick in the 2019 draft, Montgomery logged at least 200 carries in his first four seasons. Such a deal would have required a solid chunk of money, as evidenced by the three-year, $18 million contract he signed with the Detroit Lions. But it also would have created an interesting backfield dynamic with incumbent running back Dalvin Cook.
Cook has been rumored to be on the trading block this offseason despite logging his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. One of three Minnesota running backs to accomplish this feat (Adrian Peterson, Robert Smith), Cook believes he still has value to the Vikings and would like to cash in on his $14.1 million cap hit.
The Vikings have been intent on clearing as much cap space as possible for the 2023 season, so Cook’s departure figured to be imminent. That is until he got shoulder surgery.
Cook initially injured his shoulder, but he didn’t undergo surgery after the season. It’s possible that Cook didn’t want to go under the knife while he was negotiating a new contract, so he gutted it out for three-straight years until he reached a $2 million injury guarantee in his current deal.
By finally getting the shoulder fixed, Cook not only has an alibi for his inefficient running style the past few years, but he also has an extra $2 million in his pocket and a presumed home for 2023. That is if the Vikings can’t find a trade partner.
The Vikings were rumored to have offers on the table for Cook in the weeks leading up to free agency but didn’t pull the trigger. Cook’s injury guarantee may have played some role in that decision, but the fact he couldn’t pass a physical also may have stopped a deal in his tracks.
That didn’t stop the Vikings from talking to Montgomery, though, which makes everyone wonder what is going on over at TCO Performance Center. However, the answer could be found if we turn the clock.
Mike Zimmer faced a similar crossroads with his running game following the 2016 season when Minnesota ranked last in rushing yards and yards per carry. Peterson’s season-ending knee injury and a terrible offensive line contributed to the problem, but the Vikings knew they had to increase their efficiency on the ground to improve their offense.
Minnesota’s first move was to release Peterson and hit free agency for another running back. They brought in Latavius Murray as a potential starter, but it seemed like he was only running back competition they were going to acquire during the draft.
However, it was no secret that the Vikings were interested in taking a running back during the draft process. They met up with Joe Mixon at his Pro Day and were a rumored destination leading into the second day of the draft. But when Cook slid down the board, the Vikings traded up and selected him to be their new bell cow.
Making both moves appeared to be overkill at the time, but it worked out in the Vikings favor. Murray’s three-year, $15 million contract was much cheaper than the $12 million Peterson made in 2016. Cook was one a rookie-scale contract that made him a risk the Vikings were willing to take.
Cook’s knee injury four games into his career thrust Murray into a starting role, and he was respectable until his departure following the 2018 season.
Looking at the Vikings’ current situation, it feels like they’re trying to do the same thing.
When Cook’s shoulder heals, there’s a good chance the Vikings will have a better market for a potential trade. If a team is willing to bite, they can get Cook’s contract off the books and look for a serviceable starter.
Montgomery would have fit that bill as a back with four years of starting experience. However, the Vikings could easily turn it over to Mattison for a year until they find a younger, cheaper replacement.
That player could be Ty Chandler, who the Vikings selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft. But it would be wise to explore a running back class that has plenty of talent.
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs could be out of the range as Day 1 or 2 picks, but the later rounds could provide the value they’re looking for. UAB’s DeWayne McBride is an explosive talent who could thrive in a zone-blocking scheme, while Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn could serve as a pass-catching back to complement Mattison in the backfield.
This could not only serve as a younger, more dynamic threat in the backfield. It could also be a committee that keeps fresh legs on the field and saves money off of it.
It’s possible the Vikings were just gauging interest while the rest of the league made offers for Cook. But like their plans for most of the offseason, it appears the writing is on the wall for one big move.
