As mandatory minicamps wrap up this week, teams around the league are still trying to evaluate what they have and how they might improve with the upcoming training camps. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories around the National Football League over the last week.
Vikings Cut Cook, Halt Extension Talks With Cousins
The Vikings have made news for a couple reasons over the last week. First, it was announced that they were parting ways with running back Dalvin Cook, and then a report surfaced that the team and quarterback Kirk Cousins were not working on an extension.
In regard to Cook, the team was unable to find a trade partner and instead chose to cut the sixth-year running back. Last season, with Minnesota, Cook played in 17 games, rushing for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. He also finished with 295 yards receiving and another couple touchdowns.
Last season was the fourth-straight year that Cook eclipsed 1,100 yards. Still at just 27, there may be a number of suitors for his services in the backfield.
For Cousins, the 34-year-old enters the last year of his contract this upcoming season. While it is still possible an extension gets hashed out, it appears that this might be his last in Minnesota.
Cousins will be entering his sixth season with the Vikings after playing six seasons with Washington. Last season, he threw for 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
The Vikings currently have the second-best odds of winning the NFC North at +270. They are +3500 to win the Super Bowl.
Colts Trying To Retain Taylor Long-Term
While the Vikings parted ways with their star running back, the Indianapolis Colts are trying to retain theirs. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, the Colts have begun extension talks with Taylor.
Last season, the 24-year-old running back played in just 11 games due to an ankle injury. In that span, he rushed for 861 yards and four touchdowns.
When healthy, though, Taylor can be one of the best in the league. In 2021, he rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 360 yards receiving and two receiving touchdowns that year.
If Taylor can show that he is healthy, he may be in line for a sizable contract. Given that there is not a fifth-year option in his contract, Taylor would be able to become a free agent after the upcoming season if nothing is hashed out.
Indianapolis currently has the third-best odds of winning the AFC South at +500. They are +10000 to win the Super Bowl.
Diggs Returns To Practice
Earlier in the week, there was concern in Buffalo that there were internal issues between the Bills and star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On Tuesday, during the first day of mandatory minicamp, Diggs left the facility instead of participating. Given that he also did not participate in the voluntary OTAs, there was considerable concern.
On Wednesday, head coach Sean McDermott eased some of those concerns as Diggs returned to minicamp. It is obviously a situation to monitor moving forward, but it currently appears that whatever had caused Diggs to leave Tuesday has been settled.
Last season, Diggs had a monster season as he hauled in 108 receptions for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns.
This upcoming season, Diggs is expected to once again be a key weapon for quarterback Josh Allen as they look to make a postseason run. Currently, the Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East (+130), and they have the third-best odds of winning the Super Bowl (+900).
