The Minnesota Vikings may look at the trade or release of Adrian Peterson when he is reinstated for the 2015 season and if that happens, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers all could be interested in acquiring him, as he still has some gas in the tank at running back in the NFL.
Peterson is currently suspended indefinitely after losing an appeal on his suspension with the NFL and the earliest he can return is April. Peterson was suspended despite reaching a plea deal in his case regarding the abuse of one of his sons and while he appealed the decision, it was upheld and now he is out for the Vikings. Minnesota spent most of the season with Peterson on the exempt list and he nearly returned after reaching a plea agreement.
The NFL decided to suspend Peterson and now his future is in a bit of limbo. According to ESPN.com, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said that Peterson is welcome back with the team and that he would like to see the running back return when he is reinstated. Zimmer said that Peterson would be welcomed back in the locker room and that there would be a place for him if he was reinstated in the winter. Peterson played in just one game this season and rushed for 75 yards in 2014.
Peterson said in an interview with USA Today following his suspension that he considered retirement and possibly taking up another sport after the way the "process" was handled. Peterson said that he felt the Ray Rice situation and the way the NFL messed that up affected how his punishment was handled and he hoped to get the decision overturned on appeal. That did not work and looking towards the future when asked about playing for the Vikings, Peterson said that while he would like to return, that a "fresh start" could be best for the two sides in 2015.
Vikings GM Rick Spielman also said that he wants Peterson back according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and that is another strong voice from the franchise regarding his future. Peterson is getting paid over $12 million and the team could consider asking him to restructure his deal. If Peterson is released, the Cowboys, Dolphins and Patriots all could be potential options for him.
Bleacher Report writer Mike Freeman wrote about a potential split back last year during the draft, as he speculated that the team would consider moving on because of Peterson's price tag. The running back position is decreasing in value and as Peterson gets closer to 30, he likely will break down. Peterson is not most running backs, so he could buck that trend, but the Norv Turner running the offense also could be a factor.
The team has been using more shotgun sets with young QB Teddy Bridgewater and this season Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon rushed the ball out of more shotgun sets than Peterson had in his entire career combined. While that doesn't mean the Vikings won't bring him back or that Peterson can't adjust, it could lead to some difficult choices, as that is not the ideal way to use a back with Peterson's skills and if that's the case, his cap number really can't be justified.
