The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson could be headed for a split in 2015 and if the team looks at the trade or release of the franchise star, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins could look at signing him over DeMarco Murray on the frère agent market and this comes as Mike Zimmer has said he is open to Peterson returning to the team.
Peterson played in one game this past season before being placed on the exempt list due to his criminal case and after being suspended indefinitely he appealed. Peterson did not win that appeal after hoping that he could return this season and now his future with the team is up in the air. While Peterson has expressed a desire to return to the league, he will have to apply for reinstatement in April to the NFL. According to ESPN.com, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and numerous players have said they would welcome Peterson back to the team when he is eligible to come back.
Peterson coming back to the Vikings and playing with the team for the 2015 is not a certainty and part of that is due to his contract. Peterson is getting paid over $12 million and has a league-high $15 million cap hit and that could be tough to maneuver for the Vikings. Most running backs start to decline at the age of 30 and while Peterson is not most running backs, he is coming back after missing basically an entire year and that could factor into the decision for the team.
After being suspended and dealing with the whole process, Peterson said in an interview that a "fresh start" could be best for both sides. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Peterson is "no lock" to comes back to the team and that is due to the fact that he has a $15.4 million cap number. The team also likes Jerick McKinnon, who took over for Peterson when he was out this year.
According to ESPN.com, at least six teams have done "background work" on Peterson and that means he could have some suitors if the Vikings want to trade or release him. Adam Schefter wrote up the report and mentioned the Dallas Cowboys as a potential option for Peterson, as the team may lose DeMarco Murray in free agency and Jerry Jones has previously expressed his interest in signing Peterson if he is available. Murray will have many suitors on the market and he may take the money if the Cowboys sign Dez Bryant over keeping him.
Peterson is one of the best running backs of all-time, but after the way this year went it would not be a surprise to see him leave Minnesota. Peterson has a high salary and as he creeps up to and past the age of 30, he likely will break down a bit. While Peterson is not like other running backs in most respects, he is coming off of a lost year and is 29 years old and that would make it tough for him to be the player he has been during the long run in Minnesota.