The Minnesota Vikings may have Adrian Peterson back this season and no matter what happens, there is a possibly a Peterson trade or release from the team could be coming after the 2014 season and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, NY Jets, Giants and Buffalo Bills all could be potential options.
Peterson may not get traded and he may not get released from the Vikings, but after all the bad publicity from his legal issues and the fact that he has a huge contract, there is a good chance the two sides split. According to ESPN.com writer Chris Mortensen, the Vikings have already considered the possibility of getting rid of Peterson and there is a chance that after this season they could look at a trade or his release. This came up as a possibility last season, but that was more about his contract than anything else and the fact that the team was bad.
The Vikings have been hanging around this season and the emergence of Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata could add to the decision on Peterson for the team. The Vikings have a lot to consider, as Peterson is making a ton of money over the next few years and as he gets older and past the age of 30, he likely will start breaking down like other running backs. Many have looked at the Dallas Cowboys as a possibility for Peterson and that came up after an OTL report on ESPN came out over the summer regarding his interest in the team.
In that story, Outside the Lines was profiling Cowboys owners Jerry Jones and at one point he got a call and was put on the phone with Adrian Peterson. The report detailed that both expressed interest in one day coming together, but that was before the child abuse case came out and that could change things. The Cowboys obviously have DeMarco Murray and while they plan on trying to keep him after an MVP season, there is a chance he could sign elsewhere. Murray is getting worked like only AP has in the past decade and that could affect the Cowboys decision making.
Obviously there are plenty of moving parts to this situation and Peterson still has to get reinstated and put back on the Vikings active roster. Peterson is making $15.4 million next season on the cap and he has $2.4 million of dead money and that means moving him is slightly more manageable for the Vikings. If he is released there would be plenty of suitors for him and teams like the Dolphins, Seahawks and Cowboys all could be interested.
Peterson rushed for 2000 yards a couple years ago and now his future is up in the air. Even if he is back in the NFL this season, the Vikings or the league could suspend him after reaching a pleas deal. That could keep him from playing for the rest of the season, but it's likely he would fight that if it comes up. The Vikings have Teddy Bridgewater leading the way at quarterback now and he could be the new face of the franchise if Peterson is traded or is released.
