The Dallas Cowboys and Adrian Peterson got linked to some rumors this past week after an ESPN reporter published a long profile of Boys owner Jerry Jones and while not trade or deal is imminent, the report forced the Vikings and AP to give separate statements about the story and now in the future one day, the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders all could be potential targets for Peterson's services.
According to the ESPN.com report, Jones was put on the phone with Peterson while attending a concert at AT&T Stadium and reporter Don Van Natta was there at the time of the phone call. Jones said he did not know Peterson was on the phone when he was given it and they had a conversation and discussed the possibility of Peterson one day playing in Dallas. Peterson is from Texas and the Cowboys have been considered a team that could target Peterson if he ever was available.
Last season there were some rumblings about Peterson being frustrated and whether the team would trade him since he is owed so much money. Both sides put water on those reports as well, but as Peterson gets older and his cap hit gets higher, the team may have some tough decisions to make regarding their star. According to ESPN.com, Peterson has a cap hit of $14 million this season and he will have $15 million over the next two seasons with $16 million in 2017. The team is on the hook for dead money this season and next season if Peterson is released and that ends the following year.
Peterson has continued to defy the odds during his career, whether it be his injury or anything else to be one of the best backs in football, but now that he is getting towards 30, things could be at the end for him and the franchise. The Vikings look like they are in rebuilding mode with a new coach coming in after a 5-11-1 season and Peterson is 29 years old and likely starting his decline despite rushing for over 2,000 yards a couple years ago.
Peterson signed a seven year deal worth $100 million and he is now in year four of that and while he has been a very productive player in his career. he is starting to get to the back slide. Jones has always wanted to win another Super Bowl and he also loves having stars and since Peterson is from Texas and has expressed this interest there is a chance the two sides could try to make it happen one day. The Raiders and Dolphins have deep pockets and they have had issues at running back over the past few years and there is a chance those teams also could be in the mix if Peterson becomes available.
