Adrian Peterson will not be able to step back on an NFL football field until April 15 of 2015. The running back continues to sit through his NFL mandated suspension while he admits that he will use the time to consider what his future in the league looks like. Peterson had hinted that retirement could be in his future, uninterested in participating in an organization that he believes did not give him a fair shot. However, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is holding out hope Peterson decides to come back to the team.
There are plenty of issues surrounding Peterson and his future in Minnesota, the NFL suspension being one of them. The running back will be 30 in March, but will have fresh legs after essentially sitting out an entire season dealing with the suspension. Peterson is set to earn $13 million next season and be a $15.4 million cap hit. That opens him up to trades as the Vikings aim to save money, but Zimmer remains hopeful that the running back returns regardless.
"Adrian was always great with me," Zimmer said, via ESPN.com. "I think he's a good person. I think obviously he's a great running back, and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order -- that's the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back -- then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made. I think he would add value to any team, to be honest with you. I think the kid's a heck of a football player."
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Peterson has felt the support of the Vikings organization and is intrigued about the idea of playing with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. He has also had nothing but praise for Zimmer and where the organization is headed. There would be teams potentially interested in a trade for the running back including the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. Peterson told ESPN that he is considering all options.
"Through this process, I've thought about playing other places, with everything that's been floating around the organization," Peterson said. "But I keep a level mind. The people that are doubting me are people that are, in the big scheme of things, not relevant. I'm able to look at the organization as a whole and see for what it is. There are friends, teammates, people I've been around for years. I think about what I would be leaving behind, but it's a business, as well."
