The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson could be headed for a split in the future with a trade or release and if that happens in 2015 teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks all could be interested in picking him up and this comes as DeMarco Murray is set to hit the free agent market.
The Vikings are coming into the offseason with numerous questions, but they appear to have a long term quarterback option with Teddy Bridgewater and they also have Mike Zimmer staying as head coach. According to ESPN.com, Zimmer said after the season that he hopes Peterson will return to the Vikings and he said that he will be welcome if he makes a return in 2015. Peterson can apply for reinstatement in April and that will be his next chance to get back into the NFL.
Peterson appealed his indefinite suspension but the league, but that appeal was denied and after that happened he said that he considered retiring from the league. Zimmer said that he supported Peterson and that is big considering that sources said earlier in the season that Peterson likely would be gone following his legal case. That was before the running back reached a plea agreement in the case and was on the exempt list and now Peterson will have to figure out what his next move will be if it's not with the Vikings.
Peterson said in an interview after the season that he considered retiring after the way the appeals process went and he also mentioned that a "fresh start" could be good for both sides. Peterson would be a major target on the free agent market, as he is considered to be a productive player despite his age, which is getting to 30, the age running backs usually start breaking down. Peterson is set to make over $12 million next season and he costs even more on the cap and that could lead to his eventual release. The team has Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata and both of those players performed well with Peterson out this season and they come much cheaper than AP does.
Peterson has been one of the best running backs in NFL history during the course of his career and he has been as consistent as anyone at his position. Peterson has rushed for at least 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns in every season in his career that hasn't been cut short by injury or a legal case and he comes in after putting up 75 yards in one game in 2014. Peterson had 1266 yards and 2097 yards in each of the previous two seasons, scoring 22 touchdowns in that span.
Peterson would be a nice fit for teams looking for a new starter or for someone to team with a younger player, while the Patriots could be an option after losing Stevan Ridley to an injury ion 2014. The Raiders will likely clear out their stable of running backs into 2015, while the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys also could be interested. The Cowboys may lose DeMarco Murray and after the way this season ended, they could add someone like Peterson if he is rereleased.