Depending on the status of Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings could be in the market for a new run game. The team is headed in the right direction with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, but now the team is tasked with putting the right offensive weapons around him. Last season, Matt Asiata carried the rushing load when Peterson was out, but as he approaches free agency the Vikings need help at the position.
Whether or not the Vikings are looking for a running back depends entirely on Peterson. The running back is currently suspended and it is unclear whether or not the NFL is planning on reinstating Peterson following child abuse allegations and a violation of the player conduct policy. However, it is also unclear if the Vikings plan on keeping Peterson if he is allowed back to playing.
Minnesota continues to say all of the right things when it comes to the running back. Head coach Mike Zimmer told the media the Vikings would welcome Peterson back with open arms while teammates like Bridgewater and Greg Jennings said the same thing. Peterson's contract says a different story as he is set to be a $15 million cap hit in 2015 and 2016 before becoming a $17 million hit in 2017. Those are not favorable numbers at all.
According to Fansided.com, the Vikings could be a prime landing spot for Marshawn Lynch should the Seattle Seahawks aim to trade or release the running back. At this time according head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are negotiating a contract with the running back, but he is not certain how things will pan out. Lynch would be the elite back the Vikings need to replace Peterson while helping them keep pace in the competitive NFC North. He would work well with Bridgewater while teaming with Jerick McKinnon who posed 538 yards in his rookie season.
There are other running back options to help the Vikings if Peterson is gone. They could re-sign Asiata and hope he can repeat the 570 yards from 2014, getting a bigger name might be the best long-term solution. Trading or LeSean McCoy or targeting someone like CJ Spiller, Frank Gore or Knowshon Moreno might also be a solid option. While the Vikings continue to take a look at their wide receiver talent on the roster, getting a running back needs to be a necessity as well.