The Minnesota Vikings are not having the greatest of seasons. After an offseason where they loaded up offensive weapons to pair alongside Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder, the team has one win to their name. While the issues span beyond the offense, it is those players taking the biggest hits. As a result, trade rumors have surfaced, around Adrian Peterson. Yes, Peterson, the only offensive producer for the Vikings. Jared Allen is laughing off the idea.
Local paper The Pioneer Press wrote a column defending the idea that the Minnesota Vikings should trade their star running back. Tom Powers makes the argument that Minnesota should receive draft picks in exchange for the top NFL back. He compares Peterson to the likes of Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams, noting those trades worked out for the teams involved.
To be clear, Peterson is not being traded. Peterson will never be traded. He is the type of player that a team builds around and he can be a game changer when a team like the Vikings is struggling to put together consistency at the quarterback position. Every member of the Vikings is aware of this, especially Jared Allen.
The defensive end spoke with the NFL Network's Dan Hellie about the idea Peterson would be traded prior to the approaching deadline. Allen said it was pretty easy to predict that Peterson was going nowhere.
"I don't think that would be a very smart move, to say the least," Allen said. "I'm glad I'm not the GM having to make decisions, but I think if Adrian wasn't a Viking, I think maybe this state might revolt. Adrian's a phenomenal player, and you understand people write stuff like that. If I was a betting man, I'd put my money that Adrian isn't going anywhere."
Vikings' fans would certainly revolt if Peterson was traded in exchange for a draft pick that would get Minnesota a rookie that may or may not develop into a star at some point. The Vikings have been loaded with first round draft picks over the past few years and have yet to capitalize on them.
Allen will not be the first Vikings player to be asked about this and Peterson is not the only major star to have his name brought up as the NFL trade deadline is approaching. Teams are getting desperate, especially ones with records like the Vikings.