The Minnesota Vikings may trade or release Adrian Peterson in the future depending on how his appeal and reinstatement to the NFL turns out and a team like the Dallas Cowboys could be an option if he is cut and becomes a free agent, as they likely will sign back DeMarco Murray to a new contract and could add him for depth, while teams like the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and 49ers also could be options.
The Vikings have not made any decisions about the future of Peterson, but ESPN.com reporter Chris Mortenson wrote before his reached pleas deal that he would likely be done with the Vikings. According to Pro Football Talk, the organization is willing to have Peterson back, but some in the front office are not comfortable with that. The team likely would release Peterson over a trade, as he has a massive contract and that would be very hard to move for a player his age.
Peterson spoke in a USA Today interview after his plea deal and appeal, saying that he would like to return to the Vikings, but that a fresh start could be best for both sides. The Vikings have Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata as potential starters for next season if Peterson is gone and they have stepped up with him out of the lineup. McKinnon is done for the season and was placed on IR after dealing with a back injury, but Mike Zimmer and the coaching staff have spoken about him with high praise, saying that he could be a "primary back" in the NFL.
Asiata has also done his part, as he has been solid all season rushing the ball and while his numbers don't jump off the charts, he has fit into the offense nicely. That is another reason why many think that Peterson could be done after this season, as the offense has settled into a nice groove with Teddy Bridgewater and that has happened without Peterson. The team barely used shotgun formations in the near decade Peterson was with the Vikings, but Asiata and McKinnon already have rushed out of more total shotgun snaps in a matter of weeks this season than Peterson has rushed from in his entire career.
Point being is that the Vikings like the offensive scheme from Norv Turner, as it has given Teddy Bridgewater the chance to succeed and they likely will continue building around the QB. The Vikings drafted Bridgewater in the first round and appear comfortable with him staying as the starter for the long term and that means if Peterson stays, he will have to adjust to the new offense with McKinnon and Asiata also likely staying involved.
The Dallas Cowboys have continued to come up in connection with Peterson and that came after an OTL article on ESPN detailed a phone call between Peterson and owner Jerry Jones. That came before his plea agreement and child abuse charges became public, but it still could hold if the Vikings release Peterson. Signing as a free agent is more likely than a trade since Peterson has a massive deal in Minnesota. The Seahawks could look at making a move if they end up releasing Marshawn Lynch after this season for cap space.