Adrian Peterson can apply for reinstatement to the NFL in mid-April following his suspension and the Minnesota Vikings may look at the trade or release of Peterson into the 2015 season due to his contract and if that happens, the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers could be interested in acquiring the running back.
Peterson was put on the exempt list last season while dealing with his legal issues and he was later suspended after reaching a plea agreement. Peterson appealed that decision on multiple fronts and lost them both and now he can officially come back in April once he applies for reinstatement. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press and ESPN.com, Peterson has been in counseling and is doing what he can during the offseason to ensure that his reinstatement is approved when he applies in April.
Peterson's future is still a bit up in the air, but so far the Vikings have been very public about giving him support, including from head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman. Ben Goessling also reported that Vikings COO Kevin Warren has expressed his support for Peterson, with Warren saying that he wants Peterson back and that he will be welcomed to the team "with open arms" when he comes back.
Earlier in the season, Pro Football Talk reported that a front office executive with the Vikings was not open to a Peterson return and sources pointed that it was Warren. Clearly he has had a change of heart or is at least putting up a good front and now the team has to wait two months to make a decision on Peterson. The running back has the highest cap number for any player at his position with $15 million and that is a high number, even for a player the caliber of Peterson.
The Vikings and Peterson may work on a new contract, but if he doesn't agree to a pay cut he could be released. The team was pleased with Jerick McKinnon last season and if Peterson is gone, there is a good chance he will take over. The Vikings have been open about wanting Peterson back, but that also could be protection if the two sides can't agree on a new deal. The Vikings will look like the good guys if Peterson refuses to take a pay cut and is released.
Peterson has been one of the best running backs in football during the course of his career and he has spent that entire career with the Vikings. Peterson has rushed for at least 10 touchdowns in every season he has been in the NFL and excluding this past season and 2011 when he tore his ACL, Peterson has rushed for at least 1200 yards every year. Despite his age he is still productive and if the Vikings move on, he will be a target for numerous teams, including the Cowboys and the Dolphins.
Peterson rushed for 2097 yards the season after his serious injury and he was at nearly 1000 yards when he went down in 2011. Peterson had just 75 yards last season while playing in one game and he was later placed on the exempt list while dealing with his legal issues. Peterson hoped to return during the season, but his appeal was denied.
