The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson have not been able to come to an agreement on his status for the 2015 season and there is a chance the team could trade Peterson this year and if that happens over his return, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions could be potential landing spots.
Peterson and the Vikings met earlier in the offseason, but recently his agent declined a meeting with the team. According to ESPN.com, the Vikings have stated they do not plan on releasing Peterson and they are not currently looking for a trade. The Dallas Cowboys are considered a potential team that could go after Peterson, but they have a tight cap situation and he has a high salary. The Cowboys also signed Darren McFadden already this offseason.
Peterson has the highest cap hit of any running back in the league and that could be the nexus of his issues with the Vikings. Sources told ESPN earlier in the offseason that Peterson is "uneasy" about going back to the Vikings after the way he was placed on the exempt list earlier in the season. Peterson is set to count at $15 million on the cap and he is making over $12 million in base salary. Peterson has over $40 million left on his deal over the next three seasons and that could make him tough to trade.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins are potential landing spots for Peterson, but right now no trade is imminent. Peter King at the MMQB reported that the Cardinals were interested earlier in the offseason, but that they would want Peterson to take a pay cut or restructure his contract. King wrote that the Cardinals were willing to give up a "high draft pick" for Peterson, but that the money on his contract was a "non-starter".
The Vikings have leverage in the situation, as Adam Schefter at ESPN reports that the team doesn't have to pay Peterson a single dollar until the season starts. With no deadlines for bonuses or other payouts coming, the team doesn't have a true incentive to get anything done. The Vikings have been steadfast about wanting Peterson to return and that would play into their hands if they want him to honor his contract.
Peterson is 30 years old and while that is the age that most running backs start to break down and produce less, Peterson has never been like other RBs in the league. Last season Peterson played in only one game and rushed for 75 yards against the Rams before he was placed on the exempt list. Peterson dealt with an ACL injury in 2011, but he came back and went for a career best 2097 yards and 12 touchdowns in one of the best seasons in NFL history.
Peterson has been as consistent as anyone, as he has rushed for at least 12000 yards in every season that he has played in more than 12 games. The Cardinals were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last season and they also dealt with injuries to Andre Ellington and starting quarterback Carson Palmer. The Cardinals are one team that has shown consistent interest in Peterson.
