To the surprise of some, Adrian Peterson was one of the hot names being tossed around during the NFL trade deadline. It seemed almost insane that the Minnesota Vikings would consider sending away their best offensive producer, but the rumors would not stop. Even now that the deadline has passed, the idea the team will trade the running back continues to be brought up, something Peterson is prepared for.
Peterson is confident that the Vikings have the right pieces in place to build a successful team. Right now Minnesota sits at 2-7 and showing very little signs of life for the season ahead. The team will likely enter a rebuilding process when the draft approaches, something the running back is hoping to be a part of. However, if the Vikings decide to trade him, Peterson says every team will be calling.
"I understand that," Peterson said, via the Pioneer Press. "I know this is a business and things like that happen. So if it happens, it happens. There's not much I can't handle. I'm sure someone will welcome me with open arms if they do decide to trade me. ... But it's a business, so if they trade me, then, hey."
Peterson currently has four years remaining on his contract with the Vikings. He is owed $11.75 million next season and his salary continues to increase after that year. While that certainly is a lot of money for a player that will turn 30 soon, Peterson is showing no signs of slowing down and would get interest from almost every team in the league with spare salary cap space.
Peterson is not pointing fingers as to reasons why the Vikings have yet to put together a great game. Some may blame the offensive line while others are looking at quarterback Christian Ponder, but Peterson believes the team is on the brink of turning things around.
"I definitely wouldn't mind playing here," Peterson said. "I feel like we have the right pieces and we can continue to get some more pieces as well to help build this team and make us even stronger. ... So, no, (I don't want to go anywhere else)."
Peterson has 786 yards this season. That is going to make it tough to reach the single-season rushing record that he intended to achieve. Last year he put up 2,097 yards, second-most in the NFL, on the way to earning the MVP award. Time will tell if Peterson remains on the Vikings roster. Age is against him, but the numbers are not.