Adrian Peterson is at a loss of words at the moment. The Minnesota Vikings running back is currently working through allegations of child abuse while also trying to figure out his NFL future. After Peterson was arrested on charges of child abuse, the Vikings immediately placed the former MVP on the exempt list in order to avoid any media disaster. Currently Peterson is not allowed at team facilities, but the running back is confident that he will make his return to the league.
According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Peterson has not fully grasped the idea that his 2014 season is officially over. The NFL Insider believes that even if the running back reaches a plea deal in his child abuse charges in Texas, he will still be severely disciplined by the NFL and the Vikings will not bring him back onto the team. Mortensen writes that Peterson just "really doesn't get it" when it comes to being suspended. He underwent a lie detector test to further prove that he did not intentionally harm his child.
For now, Peterson must focus on his legal issues. Since he is on the exempt list, the running back can collect the remainder of his $11.75 million salary he is owed by the Vikings, but that does not mean the team plans on keeping him in their long-term plans. Mortensen writes that the Vikings have no plans on keeping Peterson for the future no matter what the outcome of the charges is.
The idea of the Vikings moving on from Peterson is nothing new, with or without the child abuse charges. The running back has seen his name float around the trade rumor circuit for the better part of a year. He is a huge salary cap hit for the team and given his age, the clock was ticking on when Minnesota would eventually make a move no matter how good Peterson is on the field.
Peterson will play in the NFL again. That is not a question or a doubt. He likely will not be seen again in 2014 or in a Vikings' uniform, but he will be back in the league. Peterson wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys. With DeMarco Murray finishing out his contract, there is space for Peterson next year. He could also get picked up by teams like the Oakland Raiders or New England Patriots who have running backs on expiring deals. Someone will pick him up no matter what.