Court filing reveals alleged $1 million payoff attempt in Dalvin Cook domestic violence case
With training camps around the league set to begin this week, running back Dalvin Cook remains on the free agency market. Although most reports have indicated that the former Viking is fielding offers, a new story could muck up a potential deal.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune accessed a recently sealed court filing that claims Cook’s team of reps offered his ex-girlfriend, Gracelyn Trimble, up to $1 million to help absolve him of wrong-doing following allegations of domestic violence.
The running back’s lawyers allegedly offered $800,000 for a letter that they could send to the NFL for an investigation into his potential breaches of the league’s personal conduct policy. When the initial offer failed, they purportedly increased the payoff amount to $1 million.
The document filed with the Dakota County District Court became public after Cook attempted to have that piece of information barred from testimony. Whether it is allowed in court or not, it has now entered the public court of opinion.
According to the Star Tribune, Attorney Daniel Cragg wrote that Cook’s initial cash offer was “not only evidence of a crime” but that it should be admissible at trial to show he tried to “coax Trimble” to perjure herself by changing her sworn testimony.
Trimble’s personal injury lawsuit against Cook is set for trial next year. The running back has denied allegations of abuse and also counter-sued the alleged victim and her lawyers for defamation.
NFL insider: Cook ‘has multiple offers’
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that Cook’s lack of movement so far in free agency has been by choice and that he’s “in control” of negotiations.
“They can afford to be patient here. The best money may come whenever teams realize that maybe their rookies aren’t ready or maybe there’s an injury that happens. But this is also not a situation where he doesn’t have offers. Dalvin Cook has multiple offers right now. He’s gonna command a significant contract. I don’t think he’s taking a big discount to go to Miami or any place else. He’s in control here because he’s just that rare player that transcends the market.”
Cook was set to make a $10.4 million base salary in 2023 that would have increased to $11.9 million in 2024 and $12.9 million by 2025. The Vikings wanted to restructure his contract, but he refused, leading the team to release him. He is reportedly seeking around the same amount he was supposed to make had he stayed in Minnesota.
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are two potential landing spots for Cook. The draw for him to join the Dolphins is that Miami is his hometown and he also played college football in Tallahassee at Florida State. The Jets, however, added veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a talented young roster and are also in need of a running back with Breece Hall still recovering from an ACL injury.
Other teams Pelissero mentioned include the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.