The Minnesota Vikings want to keep Adrian Peterson this offseason over making a trade to the Dallas Cowboys or Arizona Cardinals and after the draft it looks certain that the running back will return, but his agent may want a new contract with more guaranteed money and that could lead to a holdout in training camp by Peterson, which would leave Jerick McKinnon as the starter.
Peterson was mentioned in trade talk this offseason, but no deal ever came close to happening and now it looks like his return to Minnesota is certain. According to ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen, the Vikings are set at bringing Peterson back and they only would have traded him if they were "blown away" by an offer at the draft. No major offers came during the draft and now the next major issue for the two sides could be Peterson's contract situation, writes Ben Goessling at ESPN.
Peterson is owed over $40 million through the next three seasons, so the total of his contract is not an issue, but how it's structured could end up causing the two sides to talk. Peterson's agent put out some strong words this offseason about his client and whether his "best interest" was to stay in Minnesota and that could set up a contract battle between the two. According to USA Today, Peterson's agent Ben Dogra said that while he is happy with the loyalty that Minnesota has shown by not trading Peterson, he wants the team to show a "commitment" through guaranteed money moving forward.
Peterson's contract has $46 million on it and this season he is making $12.75 million in salary and is a cap hit of $15 million. Peterson obviously isn't worried about the total, but the team still has leverage since they don't owe him anything until the season starts. The "loyalty" that Dogra is talking about likely is guaranteed money and while a training camp holdout is not a foregone conclusion, it is an outcome that could play out for Peterson.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that if Peterson does hold out, they do not "not expect Peterson to hold out deep into training camp." Peterson and his agent could ask for more guaranteed money as part of the "commitment" and if that doesn't happen he could stay away in workouts. Peterson reportedly was unhappy with the way he was put on the exempt list last season and that likely led to any discontent he had coming into the winter.
The Cowboys were mentioned as an option for Peterson, but the team did not want to give up high draft compensation for the running back. Dallas signed Darren McFadden this offseason and they also have Joseph Randle and Ryan Williamson the roster. The Cardinals were also considered an option, but they did not want to give up draft picks either.
The Cardinals also drafted David Johnson and likely will sue him with Andre Ellington this season. Peterson played in one game last season and rushed for 75 yards against the Rams before being placed on the exempt list while dealing with his legal issues off the field in 2014.