Adrian Peterson is hoping for a Minnesota Vikings return in 2014 if he can get his legal situation in order and right now that looks unlikely, as a trade or release for the RB could be in the cards and if that happens, the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens or Raiders could be interested in making a move for him.
Peterson was placed on the rarely used exempt list after coming to an agreement with the Vikings and the league and now he is working to get his legal situation handled so he can get back onto the field. According to ESPN.com, Peterson still thinks that he will be able to get back in action this year and that he has not come to grips with the possibility that he has played his last game with the Vikings. The team has not come out publically to say this yet, but sources have said that Peterson will never play again for the Vikings.
Peterson is considered to be one of the best running backs in football and his legal issues may keep him from getting back onto the field at all. Peterson had a goal of setting the all-time rushing record and now that is likely off the table and that could be one motivation for him to get back onto the field. The Dallas Cowboys have been mentioned as a destination for Peterson, as Jerry Jones has made it clear that he would like to get AP at some point, but this was before the child abuse charges came up.
Earlier in the summer an OTL report and profile of Jones detailed a conversation between Peterson and Jones that included talk about ending his career in Dallas. That all could change now with the latest charges, but obviously no one will know how it plays put until Peterson resolves his legal case. ESPN.com reports that Peterson so far "doesn't get it" about his status this season and that the Vikings do not "foresee" Peterson with the team in the future no matter what happens with his legal case.
Right now Peterson stand accused of child abuse charges for beating his son with a switch and he is currently on paid leave basically and is getting his salary of nearly $12 million. Peterson could end up being released and that would allow him to sign with another team eventually, but some may stay away from him after what has happened. The Vikings went back and forth and deactivated Peterson before activating him back and now he is on the exempt list and has to stay away from the team.
Peterson previously rushed for 2000 yards and was the MVP of the league and his status right now is shocking to many people. Peterson has said that he is sorry for hurting his son and many have come out to defend him for using discipline on his children. Just as many have come out to denounce his acts and this all came up at the worst time for Peterson and the NFL, as they are also dealing with the Ray Rice situation. Peterson now will try and get things resolved in Texas so he can continue his NFL career.