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Vikings release Dalvin Cook

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with running back Dalvin Cook, the team announced Friday.

Cook made his fourth Pro Bowl in 2022 after running for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games. He caught 39 passes for 295 yards and a pair of scores.

The 27-year-old signed a five-year, $63-million extension with the Vikings in 2020 and would've become a free agent in 2026. The $12.6-million average annual value ranked third among running backs, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey ($16 million) and the New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara ($15 million).

Minnesota can split the dead cap hit from Cook's contract over 2023 and 2024 because it released him after June 1. His dead cap hits will be approximately $5.1 million in 2023 and $3.1 million in 2024, according to Spotrac.

Cook's release frees up $9 million in cap space for 2023 and $12.5 million in 2024.

The elusive running back is now free to sign with any team. The Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins are among those expected to be interested, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Cook tallied 5,993 rushing yards, 1,794 receiving yards, and 52 scrimmage touchdowns in 73 career games, all with the Vikings.

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