Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson could consider a holdout during training camp this summer if he doesn't get a new contract from the team and while a trade to the Dallas Cowboys remains a possibility, right now it looks unlikely and Peterson's agent Ben Dogra could push for a new contract with more guaranteed money before the season starts.
Peterson was mentioned in trade rumors for most of the offseason and while a deal looked like it could happen, the Vikings never came close to making a deal. According to Pro Football Talk, the Vikings only would have traded Peterson if they were "blown away" by a trade offer and clearly that did not happen. The team was very vocal and consistent about wanting Peterson back for the 2015 season and reports had the Vikings taking a trade off the table if it didn't happen by the draft.
Peterson reportedly was unhappy this offseason with the Vikings after the way he was placed on the exempt list last season. ESPN.com reported that Peterson was "uneasy" about returning to the Vikings after the way things went down, but now it looks like the two sides have worked things out, at least when it comes to Peterson not getting traded. According to USA Today, Peterson's agent Ben Dogra said that while he "appreciates" that the Vikings did not trade Peterson, he now is looking for a "commitment" so Peterson can "retire as a Viking."
Dogra could be speaking for Peterson in this situation and it is a major change of tune compared to what he was saying earlier this offseason. Dogra said his client may be better off away from Minnesota, but that likely was more about posturing. Peterson's contract has $46 million on it for the next three years, so clearly he is not underpaid, but Dogra may want more guaranteed money up front. NFL contracts can be scratched at any time and Dogra may push the Vikings to give Peterson and extension with more guaranteed money.
Andrew Brandt at ESPN.com wrote earlier in the offseason that Dogra's quotes were likely more about the Vikings than other teams and that it likely would come down to getting more money from the team by the end of things. Brandt has been in these negotiations before in his work as an NFL exec and now it looks like that situation is playing out. Peterson has a $15 million cap hit and a $12.75 million salary this season and that was part of the reason why it was difficult to trade him.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that they do "not expect" Peterson to hold out "deep" into the training camp, but there is a chance he could hold out for a new contract. Peterson played in one game last season and he comes back with a new quarterback and offensive system in for the Vikings. Peterson played one game with Teddy Bridgewater and now he will have to find a way to fit back in. Jerry Jones left the door open slightly on the Peterson trade talk, saying that the team would consider making a trade with a first round pick if the "right situation came along".
