Adrian Peterson is nearing a return to the NFL, but the running back may not be with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, as the team could look at the trade or release of the franchise star if he doesn't want to take a pay cut and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts could be interested in acquiring him.
Peterson originally was suspended indefinitely by the NFL following his legal case earlier in the season, but that decision was overturned on appeal and now he could be on his way to reinstatement. According to ESPN.com, the judge ruled in favor of Peterson's appeal that the new NFL policy on discipline should have been applied to him and now he can be reinstated sooner than expected. The decision did not put Peterson back right away, but now once the league year begins his status can change.
According to Ben Goessling at ESPN, Peterson was moved back to his previous status on the exempt list and it's likely that he will be activated early in March. The league year starts the second week of March and if Peterson ends up staying with the Vikings, it's likely that they will ask him to restructure his deal or take a pay cut. Peterson's return is no certainty despite the fact the Vikings have made it clear they are open to it, as ESPN reported earlier this offseason that Peterson is "unsure" about coming back to the team.
Peterson said to ESPN that he "loves" Minnesota, but that he felt it was an "ambush" the way he ended up on the exempt list after playing one game last season. Peterson and NFLPA praised the decision and now its likely things will start taking shape for Peterson and his future in Minnesota. Peterson could be a target for numerous teams if he is made available, with Pro Football Talk reporting that the Cowboys, Cardinals and Colts are potential fits.
The Cowboys have been mentioned since last summer as a potential target for Peterson, as Jerry Jones has expressed his interest in the running back and AP is from Texas. If the team loses DeMarco Murray, he could be a major target. Peterson has a $15 million cap hit and that is why a restructure is likely if he stays in Minnesota. The Colts have over $40 million in cap space and a major need at running back, while the Cardinals are also in need of an RB after finishing second to last in yards per game on the ground last season.
The Vikings have been very open about Peterson coming back, but for now that's all talk. Some have written that the Vikings positive words only mean so much, with Andrew Brandt saying that the team may look at moving Peterson if he doesn't take a pay cut or a contract restructure. Brandt writes that the positive words are not necessarily indicative that Peterson will return, as he has a high cap hit and the team is starting to develop around young players like Teddy Bridgewater and Jerick McKinnon.