For the Chicago Bears, it's always nice to see when division rivals are dealing with in-house problems. Especially when it involves star players. Darius Slay and the Detroit Lions saga last year is a perfect example. A rift that ended with the star corner being traded to Philadelphia. Things aren't that bad regarding Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings, but they do seem to be getting tense.
Not in a normal way either.
Cook made it clear earlier this year that he plans to hold out from team activities over a desire for a new contract. Not a surprise given the season he had in 2019. With the trade of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo and the promotion of Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator, it's evident the team plans to run the offense through him. It seems he has no plans for that to happen without financial security.
That was why it was odd when head coach Mike Zimmer said that Cook informed him he'd be at the start of Vikings training camp.
Nobody had any reason to doubt what the coach said. That is until Cook's agent, Zac Hiller, spoke up.
"First, congrats to Coach Zimmer on his well-earned extension. However, Dalvin has not spoken to him in regards to reporting to camp. We are unsure why this was said. I hope Dalvin can continue to play a major role in the Vikings' future success."
Are the Vikings trying to put pressure on Dalvin Cook?
What made this situation even weirder is that NFL Network reported not long after that Cook informed his position coach Kennedy Polamalu that he would be at camp. A statement that Hiller also outright refuted.
"Dalvin and Coach Polamalu speak often as they have a great relationship. Dalvin has never mentioned to him anything in regards to reporting to camp I'm not sure where the miscommunication is. I hope Dalvin plays a major role in the Vikings' future success."
It feels like this can be one of two things. Either Cook is wavering on his determination to hold out or the Vikings are trying to use pressure through the media to get him to cave. Given none of these statements about reporting come from the running back himself? One has to think the organization is doing whatever they can to get him back with his team.
If that's the case, then they obviously haven't endeared themselves to their star player. If anything, this tactic will only harden his stance further. Remember Diggs forced his way out of town over beef with the organization. It isn't crazy to think the same might happen again here.
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