Running Backs Holding Out: Cook is Screwing Himself

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is planning to hold out until he gets a contract with the money he wants. Running backs holding out never end up getting what they want. Never. When will these guys learn? Let’s look at previous situations similar to this one and see why Cook is destined to have the same fate if his holdout continues into the regular season.

Running Backs Holding Out: Le’Veon Bell Situation

Remember when Le’Veon Bell was on a team with a future hall-of-fame quarterback, a future hall-of-fame wide receiver, an elite offensive line, and a great head coach? Now, Bell plays for the New York Jets, and his head coach Adam Gase didn’t even want him. Since the holdout, he’s gone from arguably top running back in the league to fringe top 10. Not only did Bell have to settle for a worse team, but he also had to settle for a contract smaller than the Steelers original one.

So how did a holdout make this happen? Running backs are the most replaceable offensive position in the league. Elite running backs give you an advantage, but even below-average running backs can get the job done. As long as a team has a good offensive line, they could make anyone with two legs, two eyes, and at least one arm their starting running back. James Conner has done just fine replacing Bell, and even Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell Jr. have had some nice games. When running backs hold out, they prove to their team that they don’t need that player. So running backs: don’t hold out unless you want to look bad.

Running Backs Holding Out: Melvin Gordon Situation

Austin Ekeler made Melvin Gordon look really bad. Gordon was given an extension that he didn’t like and held out. Fast forward one year, and the Chargers paid Ekeler instead of Gordon. To make matters worse for Gordon, Ekeler’s contract with the Chargers is bigger than Melvin Gordon’s with the Broncos. Before his holdout, Gordon was considered an elite running back. Now, his former backup was given his former job and the money he declined, while Melvin Gordon will fight for a starting role in Denver with less money. That’s awkward.

Why Dalvin Cook Won’t be any Different

You see that picture up there? That’s Dalvin Cook saying “peace” to all the money he’ll miss out on if he holds out into the season. You better believe that if Cook holds out, second-year running back Alexander Mattison is going to be running as hard as he can. The fact that Cook has never played a full season doesn’t work in his favor either. What does he think missing more games is going to prove? The fact is, running backs don’t have any leverage in these situations. If you want more money you have to go out and prove it, otherwise someone will take your job and your money.

Dalvin Cook is a great running back who I enjoy watching, and I think he could have a great future in the league. However, I see zero reasons why Cook’s holdout will be any different from Le’Veon Bell’s and Melvin Gordon’s. Cook is great, but as I said earlier, running backs are replaceable. The Vikings wouldn’t be missing out on much with Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone. For his own good, Dalvin Cook needs to avoid holding out at all costs.

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