The Minnesota Vikings have a tough situation with Adrian Peterson and a trade could be an option in the future if the two sides split and the Dallas Cowboys could be a fit even if it's through AP being released, as DeMarco Murray is set for a major contract extension and if Jerry Jones is hesitant to do it despite his MVP season, the 'Boys may look at Peterson as an option.
Peterson and the Vikings appeared headed for a split even before the legal issues with AP came up, as he is getting paid a ton of money and is getting towards that old RB age of 30 when players decline. Peterson has been one of the best backs in football in his career, but with the way Teddy Bridgewater is running the offense, Peterson may not have as big of a role anymore. On top of that, the NFL may look at disciplining Peterson despite the fact he took a plea deal.
Peterson and his lawyer are hoping for a quick reinstatement and they are acting like a plea deal means Peterson is innocent, but the NFL is taking a harder look. NFL.com reports that the league does not consider Peterson's exempt list and paid leave as "discipline" and they are now reviewing the case and could suspend him under the personal conduct policy. The Vikings are discussing their future plans and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport writes that it could be weeks before a decision is made by the league.
Peterson came up in trade rumors last season when the team was playing terribly and at the NFL draft this year Mike Freeman wrote a great article detailing why the two sides likely would be heading for a split. With Peterson getting to 30 years old and Norv Turner hoping to use more two back sets, paying Peterson such a high amount on the cap space would start to not make much sense anymore. Now that his legal issues have come up, Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon have gotten the chance to step up and while they have not been as productive as AP, they have been very solid and could make it easier for the franchise to move on.
The Cowboys came up as a target this summer, as Outside the Lines reported on ESPN in a profile of Jerry Jones a phone call between the owner and Peterson. The report detailed that the two spoke on the phone over the summer and both expressed interest in one day working together. There was no tampering involved since it was an innocent conversation, but it opened up some possibilities for the future. Peterson is getting paid a ton of money and if the Vikings don't trade him, there is a chance he could be released. The dead money on the contract is low enough this offseason where the team could consider making a move.
Peterson has a $12.75 million salary next season and his cap hit is higher than that and the Vikings may end up making a move just to cut costs on the cap. Peterson is a great player, but the PR that goes with all this could make him expendable for the team in the near future. Only time will tell.
