The Dallas Cowboys and Adrian Peterson had a bit of an awkward moment last week after an ESPN report linked the Minnesota Vikings running back with owner Jerry Jones regarding as potential trade or free agent deal in the future and while both sides denied that anything is going on, the Boys likely would be the main target if AP is traded or if he makes it to free agency if the Vikings ever decide to cut him.
ESPN.com and Outside the Lines did a long profile on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and in that report it was revealed that Jones and Peterson had a phone conversation. Although the report doesn't explicitly say that Jones mentioned to Peterson that he could trade for him or try to sign him, it says that he would try to "make it happen" regarding Peterson playing in Dallas. According to ESPN.com, Jones did not make the phone call and he was put on the phone without knowing it was Peterson.
Forgetting the ins and outs of what was said, this story gives some credence to the rumors last season that popped up regarding Peterson and the Cowboys. With the Vikings scuffling last season, a local reporter brought up the idea of trading Peterson to a team like the Cowboys and while that was dismissed at the time, it now looks different through this lens. Peterson has continued to say publically that he wants to finish his career with the Vikings, but there is a chance the two sides could separate soon.
Following the NFL draft, Mike Freeman wrote that soon the Vikings may look at releasing Peterson if they don't trade him, as his price tag continues to rise and his value is continuing to decrease. Peterson is not like other backs, but at the age of 30 running backs start to fade and now that AP is getting to that age, the team may not want to pay a running back over $12 million per season.
Next season the team is on the hook for a $15 million cap hit and they also have dead money, but after that the price tag goes up and the dead money goes down to zero is he is released. The Vikings are not looking to get rid of Peterson, but if they continue to struggle and are forced to fully rebuild with Teddy Bridgewater, a trade or a separation could be best for all sides. Peterson rushed for over 2000 yards with the Vikings and is one of the best players in the league, but eventually the two sides may have to move on, and if they do, the Cowboys will be there waiting.
Peterson has mostly avoided injuries for his career apart from the major one he dealt with and while he was able to come back from that, as he gets past 30 it will get harder and harder. The Cowboys are always looking for stars and he would be a major star to add to the lineup for Jones and clearly he is interested in doing that one day.
