The Minnesota Vikings are not looking at an Adrian Peterson trade and he is nearly certain to be back for the 2015 season after reports that he could be traded this offseason and the next step for the two sides is likely a reworked contract, as Peterson's agent has asked the team for a "commitment" and if things are not resolved by training camp, the running back could hold out.
Peterson's future was up in the air dating back to last season when he was placed on the commissioner's exempt list following his off the field legal issues. Peterson's case came after the Ray Rice situation and he was placed on the exempt list following Week 1 and he did not play for the rest of the season. Peterson was later suspended, but he appealed and the decision was overturned, putting him back on the Vikings roster officially.
Pro Football Talk reported earlier in the offseason that the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers were potential landing spots for Peterson if he was traded. The Vikings were consistent all offseason about wanting to keep Peterson and now it looks like that will be happening. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Peterson is "fully expected" back in Minnesota and that there is a chance he could hold out from minicamp in June if he is not satisfied with his contract situation.
Peterson has $12.75 million in salary coming for the 2015 season and he has $46 million on his contract over the next three years, which is pretty good money for a 30-year-old running back. According to Pro Football Talk, Peterson is not unhappy with the number overall, but his agent Ben Dogra wants the team to guarantee some more money in the deal or have him set up to "retire" a Viking. Most of it is likely posturing and the first real issue could come when the team meets for workouts this offseason.
Dogra has been out front for Peterson this offseason and he has not always seen eye to eye with the Vikings. According to ESPN.com, Dogra is being looked at for possible violations from the NFLPA, but that may not turn out to be anything serious. The Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that Dogra has "changed his tone" regarding the Vikings and that could mean that a deal could get done before training camp.
Andrew Brandt at the MMQB writes that Dogra asking for a "commitment" is likely about the next two years of Peterson's contract, which call for salaries at $14 million and $16 million. Dogra likely wants more of Peterson's contract to get guaranteed moving forward and that would show the "commitment" he is talking about. Peterson previously was reportedly unhappy with his situation, but now that the draft is over, a trade is unlikely.
Peterson was mentioned in trade talks for most of the offseason and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders were mentioned as potential landing spots. Many felt the Cowboys would step up after letting DeMarco Murray go in free agency, but the team did not want to give up major draft compensation. The Chargers took Melvin Gordon in the draft, while the Cardinals looked like they could pull off the deal earlier, but they opted to go with David Johnson in the draft.
