The Minnesota Vikings may consider an Adrian Peterson trade this offseason following the reinstatement of the running back and if Peterson is traded, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars could be interested in acquiring him.
Peterson was reinstated to the Vikings last week after being placed on the exempt list during the 2014 season. According to ESPN.com, Peterson was previously suspended by the league and had that overturned on appeal and following his application for reinstatement, Roger Goodell officially took him off of the exempt list. The Vikings have been consistent this offseason about wanting Peterson to return for 2015 and there are reports that the running back does not want to remain in Minnesota moving forward.
Sources reported to ESPN earlier in the offseason that Peterson was "uneasy" about wanting to return to the Vikings after the way he was placed on the exempt list. Peterson reportedly wanted to play through his legal situation in Texas, but instead he was moved to the commissioners exempt list. Peterson's agent has made comments in public that could signal Peterson's intentions of trying to get traded this offseason.
The Vikings have the leverage in the situation with his contract and they have been consistent about wanting him to return, with head coach Mike Zimmer saying no trade is being explored. Reports from ESPN, Pro Football Talk and NFL.com have mentioned the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals as options for a trade. Adam Caplan at ESPN.com reports that it likely would take a first round pick and other selections or a significant player for a team to acquire Peterson.
The Vikings have met with Peterson this offseason and they are hoping to have him back for 2015. Peterson has a $15 million cap hit this year with a $12.75 million base salary and that makes him tough to trade anyway. The Cowboys just freed up some cap space by working Tony Romo's contract, but adding Peterson would make the salary cap much tighter. The Raiders reportedly are interested and they have the cap space, but they likely will not want to give up significant draft combination for a 30 year old running back.
The Oakland Tribune reports that the Raiders are not likely going to trade for Peterson and this comes after NFL.com reported that they could "be in the mix" for the running back. The Raiders have other needs after signing both Trent Richardson and Roy Helu this offseason and the team also has a young RB in Latavius Murray. The Raiders have been building through the draft the past couple years and that could keep the team from dealing picks for Peterson.
Peterson played in only one game last season and rushed for 75 yards against the Rams. Peterson rushed for 2097 yards in 2012 and scored 12 touchdowns following his ACL injury and he followed that up with 1266 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013. Peterson is not like other running backs his age and he still could still be very productive, but he is expensive with $44 million left on his contract for the next three years.
