The Washington Redskins could be a target for Adrian Peterson if the Vikings look to trade or release the running back now that he has been reinstated to the NFL and this comes as players like Frank Gore, Mark Ingram and CJ Spiller could be potential running back targets to join RG3 on offense in the 2015 season for Jay Gruden.
According to Adam Schefter on Twitter and other media reports, Peterson had his suspension overturned in court on appeal and now will be reinstated to the league. The NFL said they are looking into the decision, but basically, according to Pro Football Talk, the judge ruled that the NFL made up their rules about discipline as they went along for Peterson. The judge ruled that the new policies could not be put on Peterson, as he completed his legal case and pleaded no contest before the rules were put in place.
Either way, the Vikings now have a major decision to make, as they have Peterson coming in on a $15 million cap hit and a $12 million salary. The team may look at a trade, as CBS Sports reported last week that the Washington Redskins could be a "dark horse" option, while the Cowboys have been the favorites to land him all along. Peterson could stay with the Vikings, but if they ask him to take a pay cut he may not agree.
Pro Football Talk wrote earlier in the week that money would be the main issue with Peterson and the Vikings once he came back and now that could be where the team looks after he was reinstated. The Vikings have been very open about wanting Peterson back, but Andrew Brandt at ESPN.com and others have said they are skeptical of those desires. The team has Peterson coming back with a $15 million cap hit and with him getting to the age of 30, it's unlikely he stays at that number.
The Redskins also could be an option for Frank Gore, as CSN Bay area reported this offseason that he is a favorite of new GM Scot McCloughan. The 49ers have come out to say that they want Gore back, but with Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reporting that Gore wants to be paid $4 million per season, it may not happen. Gore has been as consistent as anyone in the NFL during his career, but he is 31 and could be heading towards the end.
CSN Bay Area writes that the Redskins need a new backup for Alfred Morris and Gore could be an option. Gore likely would be more of a complimentary back, but the Redskins probably would be happy with that, as Morris has been worked hard in his first few seasons. Morris has not missed a game in three seasons and adding a vet like Gore would help keep the wear and tear down this season.
Peterson may not want to take a pay cut from the team and if that happens, he could get traded or released. Peterson is due $12.75 million in salary in 2015 and has the highest cap hit of any player at his position. The Vikings like Jerick McKinnon as their starting running back after the way he played last season and he could end up as the starter if Peterson is done in Minnesota.
