The Minnesota Vikings may look at an Adrian Peterson trade this offseason if they can't agree on a new contract and this comes as Greg Jennings could be released for Teddy Bridgewater on offense and that could lead to the Vikings looking at Jeremy Maclin, Cecil Shorts or Brian Hartline as options on the free agent market at wide receiver.
Peterson met with the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer this past week, but that did not clear up any questions about his future. According to Pro Football Talk, both sides were mum about the return of Peterson and they did not speak openly about what was said in the meeting. The Vikings have been very public about wanting Peterson to return, but according to ESPN.com, Peterson is not sure he wants to be back in Minnesota.
Reports from earlier in the off-season have Peterson angered over the way he was placed on the exempt list earlier in the season and he may not want to come back. Money also could be a main issue, as the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the Vikings may ask Peterson to take a pay cut. If Peterson doesn't want to take a pay cut, the team may explore trades or could look at releasing him. The team has Jerick McKinnon and they feel comfortable making him the starter after he stepped in for Peterson last year.
The team may also release Greg Jennings, as ESPN.com reports that he is a high cap hit and could be let go to save space. According to CBS Sports, the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts are the most likely landing spots for Peterson if he is not brought back by the Vikings. According to ESPN.com, the team could ask Greg Jennings to take a pay cut this offseason and if that doesn't happen, it's likely that he will be released.
Cordarrelle Patterson had a slump year last season after showing promise as a rookie and if Adrian Peterson is let go, Jerick McKinnon will step up as the starting running back. Jennings counts for $11 million against the cap and is coming off of a down season. The Vikings will be looking to build around Teddy Bridgewater going forward and they also could look at running backs if the team opts to move on from Adrian Peterson.
Peterson could be an option for the Dallas Cowboys, as Jerry Jones has expressed interest in signing him, while the Raiders also could be an option. The Dolphins have running backs hitting the market and could go after Peterson, while the Patriots also could be a potential target with Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley becoming free agents. Peterson rushed for over 1200 yards in 2013 and that came after his 2097 season in 2012 after his ACL injury.
Peterson is the highest cap number at his position and as he gets to 30, the team may want to lower his hit. Peterson is making over $12 million for next season and that is a high amount for a player that rushed for just 75 yards in one game last season. Peterson could be helped along if Jennings is released, as he is worth $11 million on the cap and he is likely to get cut.