NFL News: Cook Ready to Holdout, Henry Ready to Ink a New Deal
The NFL continues to operate as if they will be playing once Week 1 of the regular season hits. While there have been talks of possibly having no fans and even a shorter preseason, the regular season has not been altered at this point.
With that in mind, players, coaches and organizations are preparing for the upcoming season, and there has been plenty of news circulating the NFL world. Let’s take a look at some of the stories from the last week.
Dalvin Cook Prepared to Holdout
In a day and age where the running back position has been diminished due to the short-term nature of the position and the relative ease of finding at least a suitable replacement, one of the league’s best is looking to cash in while he can. Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings is threatening to holdout if a new contract is not agreed upon.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, it appears that Cook is ready to sit out of training camp until a new deal comes together. Cook is currently in the fourth year of his deal — one that will pay him just $1.3 million for the upcoming season.
With the volatility of the position, it is not surprising that he would want more security. Last season with Minnesota, Cook played in 14 games and rushed 250 times for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 53 receptions for another 519 yards.
It will be interesting to see how this fares for Cook as the new collective bargaining agreement calls for more stringent penalties for players who hold out, but for Cook it is a gamble he is willing to risk.
Derrick Henry And Titans Working Towards Long-Term Deal?
While Cook may be holding out, Derrick Henry is working towards a new deal. It is already guaranteed that Henry will be in a Titans’ uniform this season as he has already signed the franchise tag that was placed on him back in March. Under the tag, he will earn a little over $10 million.
Despite this, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports that Henry and the Titans could be working towards a long-term deal. The two sides have about a month to figure out a new deal, and it appears the two sides have already been discussing the possible framework.
For Henry, he will be looking to cash in on a remarkable season. Last year with the Titans, he rushed 303 times for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 18 receptions for another 206 yards and another two scores.
Needless to say, Henry is going to get paid nicely. The question is whether he will get his long-term deal now, or whether he will have to wait a year.
Could Colin Kaepernick Return to the NFL?
While Colin Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, Mike Florio of PFT indicates that he is as motivated as ever to play again. Kaepernick has not had any interest from the league since he took part in his kneeling protest during the national anthem.
In light of the protests going around the nation and the apology from commissioner Roger Goodell about not approaching the previous protests correctly, it seems that this could be a great opportunity for his return, assuming he can still play at a high level.
He is already 32 and several years removed from the league and high-level competition. In his last season in 2016 with the 49ers, Kaepernick went 1-10 in 11 starts while throwing for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 69 times for 468 yards and two touchdowns that season.