The Minnesota Vikings are not close to an Adrian Peterson trade this offseason, but the running back may still want out and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are potential landing spots, but as the draft gets closer, a deal is starting to look unlikely.
Peterson's future has been up in the air since last season and with the NFL draft getting closer, the prospects of a deal are not looking good. According to Pro Football Talk, general manager Rick Spielman said that he has "no interest" in trading Peterson and that the team has had the position that they want the running back to return to the team. All offseason there have been reports that Peterson wasn't out, but so far the Vikings have been consistent about what they want to do.
The team said earlier in the offseason that they would not release Peterson and that means a trade is his best way out of Minnesota if he wants that. According to Pro football Talk, Mike Leslie of WFAA-TV reports that Peterson was at the Dallas Mavericks-Houston Rockets playoff game Tuesday and when asked about the situation, he said playing in Dallas "would be nice" and that the situation is "out of (his) hands."
Peterson is from Texas and last year Outside the Lines reported on a phone call between Peterson and Jones about their mutual affection for each other. Peterson said that he is "under contract" and that is another reason why a trade has been tough to make happen. Peterson has a $15 million cap hit and has a salary of $12.75 million, which is a lot for a 30 year old running back, even one of his caliber.
The tough part for a team like the Cowboys is the draft picks, as the team has been so smart over the past couple years with their selections. Reports say that the Vikings would want at least one first round pick and probably a second rounder and that doesn't even include the salary issues. The Cowboys reportedly will not look at making the deal because of that and the draft compensation could keep other from going down that road.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Vikings are doing things under the impression of Peterson "plays for them or no one" and that means a trade is very unlikely. Unless a team "blows them away" with a deal, Pro Football Talk reports a trade will likely not happen. Peterson was placed on the exempt list last season and he hoped to play through his legal case in Texas, which was one of the reasons why he became upset at the Vikings organization, according to sources.
The Cardinals, Bucs and Raiders all were mentioned as potential landing spots, but those teams do not appear to be close to a deal now. The Cowboys are going to target running backs in the upcoming draft and although they let DeMarco Murray go, the team feels comfortable with Darren McFadden coming in. Peterson will likely remain with the Vikings this season, but he could be traded down the line still.