The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson may try to work out a new contract over making a trade this offseason, as the team has been consistent about wanting the running back to return over trading him to the Dallas Cowboys or Arizona Cardinals and there is a chance he could hold out at some point, as his agent wants a "commitment" from the Vikings moving forward.
Peterson has had his future remain up in the air since last season after he was placed on the exempt list following his off the field issues. According to ESPN.com, the Vikings have "no plans" to trade Peterson at this time and Chris Mortensen reports that after the draft, the chances of as deal are "highly unlikely". Peterson was mentioned in trade rumors for most of the offseason, but many around the league predicted that he would end up staying in Minnesota.
That appears to be the outcome and now his agent Ben Dogra, who has had some issues with the team, is looking to keep that going, but at the right price. Peterson has a big contract already with $46 million coming his way over the next three seasons, but Dogra said to USA Today that he wants a "commitment" from the team to have Peterson "retire" as a Viking.
Dogra previously stated at the owners meetings that maybe it wasn't in his clients "best interest" to stay in Minnesota and now he could be pushing it into a money dispute. Peterson was a tough player to trade since the Vikings wanted major draft compensation in any deal and that likely kept some teams out of the running. Peterson has a $15 million cap hit for this season and that is a lot for any player, including a 30 year old running back.
Peterson is not a normal 30 year old back though and that is one reason why he has some power in the situation, but not much. Right now it appears the Vikings have the leverage, as Peterson is not owed any money until the start of the season. Peterson is making $12.75 million this season and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune predicts that he will not holdout through training camp.
There is a chance that Peterson will hold out if his agent doesn't get the money that he wants, but the paper writes that they do not expect a "deep" camp holdout if it happens. Peterson could hold out for the season or all of camp if he is unhappy, but that likely will not happen after the way things have developed. Peterson was reportedly uneasy about coming back to the team after the way last season went, but with his contract still paying him big money, he likely will return to the Vikings for the 2015 season.
Peterson played in one game last season and rushed for 75 yards against the Rams and now the Vikings have the chance to get him back. The team has been consistent about wanting him back, but they are also prepared with Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata. Last season McKinnon played very well and if Peterson was traded, he likely would be the starter.
