Vikings' Cook: Holdout rumor 'was never coming from me'

Holding out was never an option for Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

It was reported in early June that Cook wouldn't report to training camp without a "reasonable extension," but the Pro Bowler said Friday that he never considered skipping team-related activities.

"That was never coming from me," Cook said, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. "I love being around the guys. Football is like a stress reliever for me."

"I was going to be here, regardless of the speculations that came up about me not coming," he added.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said in late July that Cook had already told him he'd report to training camp on time. Hours later, the player's agent, Zac Hiller, denied Cook made such statements.

Under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, a player under contract won't receive an accrued season if he fails to report to his team's preseason training camp on the mandatory reporting date, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Cook joined the Vikings facility to undergo COVID-19 testing July 28.

The 25-year-old believes it's just a matter of time until he inks a long-term contract extension and insists he's only focused on leading the Vikings to their first Super Bowl.

"I want to win a championship," Cook said, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I love Minnesota, and I just think it hasn't been done yet, so I want to be the first to bring one here. So that's exactly what I'm thinking about, holding that trophy."

Cook finally broke out in 2019 after missing 17 games due to injury in his first two pro seasons, racking up 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games. He also recorded 53 catches for 519 yards.

The 2017 second-round pick is set to earn $1.33 million in base salary this season, according to Spotrac.