Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins, boasting nine Pro Bowls between them, continue to be free agents as the NFL offseason unfolds. Cook has expressed interest in the idea of the two uniting.
Envisioning the two of them on the same team, Cook said on The Adam Schefter Podcast, “It would be a phenomenal event for the NFL”. The Minnesota Vikings released Cook after an unsuccessful attempt to trade him this offseason, and the Arizona Cardinals did likewise with Hopkins. Despite Cook’s imaginings, he admitted that he hasn’t made any overtures yet.
Cook noted, “We haven’t had a conversation yet. He was actually on my list of people to contact because I know we share the same winning mindset. We both want to join a team that’s competing”.
Is it financially possible?
As the season nears, it seems implausible that a single team would allocate sufficient cap space to sign both players. Furthermore, each player has been associated with different potential landing spots. Cook’s name has been linked with the Miami Dolphins throughout the offseason, while Hopkins has paid a visit to the New England Patriots. With Miami fresh from a playoff run and New England historically successful under Coach Bill Belichick, both destinations align with the players’ Super Bowl aspirations.
Despite possible concerns regarding durability and whether both players are past their prime, their recent performances have been solid. Cook, turning 28 in August, has achieved over 1,100 rushing yards in each of his last four seasons. At 31, Hopkins registered 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games last season. Had he not been suspended for breaching the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, he was likely on track for his seventh career 1,100-yard receiving season.
Hopkins will look to revive his career
While it seems unlikely they’ll play on the same team in 2023, Cook continues to dream about joining a perennial Pro-Bowler as they explore their future options.
