Former Vikings star Chuck Foreman has called Dalvin Cook the best running back in the NFL.

Cook agrees.

“I consider myself the best back in the game,” the 24-year-old Vikings star said Thursday in a phone interview.

Cook said his versatility sets him apart. Despite injuries sidelining him in 2019 for two games and for nearly two full halves in two other games, Cook was seventh in the NFL last season with 1,654 yards from scrimmage. He rushed for 1,135 yards and caught 53 passes for 519 yards.

“The things I do coming out of the backfield, the things I do in between the tackles, I block, I pretty much do it all,” Cook said of why he believes he’s the best. “I don’t have to come off the field. I think some guys just don’t do as much as I do, and I think that’s why I’m today’s (top) back.”

With that in mind, Cook, who has one year left on his rookie contract, is in line to sign a lucrative extension. He said he wants to stay long term with the Vikings.

“I definitely love Minnesota,” said Cook, who is on the books to make a base salary of $1.331 million in his fourth pro season in 2020. “I love everything the state has to bring. Being a kid, I was drafted (in 2017) from Miami (his hometown), so I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I actually am happy where I’m at, and I would like to be in Minnesota long term.”

Cook said discussions about a contract extension are ongoing between his agent and the Vikings. He said he’s going to “let the business take care of the business” and “work my tail off to get what’s coming.”

Much has been made of the fact that the performance of several recent top running backs slipped after they signed big contracts. Todd Gurley signed a four-year $57.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Rams in July 2018, then ran into injury problems and fell off. Released last month, he agreed to a one-year deal with Atlanta.

“It’s all a risk when you give any guy a contract in the league,” said Cook, who has had injury issues in each of his first three seasons. “He could get hurt the next day in practice. So, it’s all a risk. But what if the guy doesn’t get hurt and he goes out there and helps contribute to the Super Bowl and he goes out there and balls out? … It’s all about what the person believes in, what the owners believe in, the GM believes in, and I firmly think the Vikings believe in me.”

Cook said he wants to remain long term in Minnesota for more than just football reasons. He has been very active in the community, becoming involved last year with Vikings Table, a food truck program with the mission of serving healthy meals to Twin Cities youth.

To help during the coronavirus pandemic, Cook last week donated his royalty check from EA Sports for appearing in the Madden 20 video game to North Memorial Health in the Twin Cities. He said his check was worth between $18,000 and $20,000. Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter followed Cook’s lead and also donated his check.

“The world is going through a tough time right now, but we’re going to get through it,” Cook said. “So, I just want to be a part of the change, part of helping the situation. That’s why I felt there was a need to utilize my platform to do what I did.”

Cook, who grew up poor, wants to continue to help people in the Twin Cities.

“It’s just showing people who Dalvin really is and getting involved with all the fans throughout Minnesota and showing them it’s much more than a helmet,” Cook said. “It’s about change. … Everybody has a different upbringing. Mine was tough. I always wanted to get to the NFL, so I could change my family’s life and help others. … Any way I can give back, I’m going to do it.” Related Articles The Loop NFL Picks: Week 2

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With the pandemic keeping most people at home and likely to wipe out NFL spring workouts, Cook is doing what he can to stay in shape back home in Miami. He’s doing workouts at home, including using bands. He gets out at times to a local park, where his older brother, De’Andre, throws him passes.

“I’m working on catching some balls out of the backfield, getting at the receiver position, lining up out wide,” Cook said. “I can catch more than 53 balls and 500 yards. I could get probably about 800 yards receiving, about 300 more yards rushing.”

Cook has been outspoken in saying he wants to reach 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2020. The figures he provided would put him over 2,200.

“That’s just a number we’re trying to go over,” Cook said of 2,000. “I’m definitely capable. I’ve got the tools that I need. I’ve just got to keep working. My game is still evolving, and I’m still growing mentally and physically.”