The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson could be headed for a split in 2015, as the team could look at the trade or release of the running back after his suspension is up and if that happens, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins or Cleveland Browns could be options despite DeMarco Murray being on the market and this comes as head coach Mike Zimmer has said he wants Peterson to return.
Peterson was suspended by the NFL after reaching a plea agreement in his legal case and now his status is up in the air until he can apply for reinstatement in April. According to ESPN.com, head coach Mike Zimmer said that he would be open to Peterson returning and that he hopes he will be back with the Vikings. GM Rick Spielman was quoted in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune saying the same thing, but that is no certainty that Peterson will return.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported this month that the Vikings and Peterson are likely to split, as Peterson is set to make over $12 million and has a $15.4 million cap hit for 2015. That is a high amount for any player, but especially a running back these days and he leads RBs in the league in that regard. The report says that Peterson has "no intention" of taking a pay cut and that could eventually lead to him getting traded or released to another team.
Peterson spoke after his appeal was denied that he considered retirement and he also mentioned in an interview with USA Today that perhaps a "fresh start" would be best for both sides. On Twitter, Peter King speculated that the quotes from the Vikings staff could actually be some protection on the part of the team, as they know losing Peterson may not be the most popular fan decision. By setting things up as Peterson not wanting to take a pay cut, they paint themselves as the "good guys" of the situation.
Either way, something is expected to happen with Peterson, whether it be a pay cut, trade or his release. Peterson is a Hall of Fame back and is as talented as anyone in the league, but he is getting towards 30 years old and that is when most backs start to break down. While Peterson is not "most backs" by any stretch of the imagination, it would not be surprising to see some drop-off, especially after missing an entire season. The running back position has been devalued a great deal in the NFL and while elite players still can make an impact, teams have shown they can get prime production from cheaper and lesser known options. The Vikings missed the playoffs, but they have a new QB in Teddy Bridgewater and after using so many shotgun sets this season, they could be ready to move on from AP.
Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata did a solid job coming in for Peterson and while they are not near the talent that AP is, they come in way cheaper. The Vikings have a tough decision to make, as Peterson has been wildly productive when healthy, going for at least 10 touchdowns in all of his years with the Vikings and rushing for over 3000 yards combined from 2012-2013 following his ACL surgery.