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NFL Trade Machine: Adrian Peterson To Jacksonville

By Erik Lambert

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Jun 17, 2014; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with the ball at practice at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Negotiations have reached an impasse between the Minnesota Vikings and running back Adrian Peterson.  Though the 30-year old is ready to return to work, multiple indications are he has no interest in doing so for the Vikings.  On the other side, the Minnesota brass has also made it clear that they won’t grant Peterson his outright release for a variety of reasons.

This basically leaves just two options open.  Either Peterson sits out another year when it becomes more financially feasible to send him packing, or the Vikings consider NFL trade options.  It is that avenue that has drawn tons of speculation over the past few weeks.

Several teams have been linked as possible interested parties from the Arizona Cardinals to the Dallas Cowboys.  Unfortunately neither scenario really holds much water.  Yes, both teams need a back of Peterson’s caliber, but neither has the money nor the draft flexibility to make it happen.  Keep in mind, Peterson will count over $12.7 million against the salary cap of whichever team takes him.

That means whomever does must have a need and the room to spare.  That is why it’s important to keep a close eye on the Jacksonville Jaguars over the weeks to come.

Benefits To The Vikings

It really isn’t too hard to argue from the Vikings perspective.  If Peterson isn’t going to play for them, then an NFL trade is their best option.  Not only would they get a solid draft pick out of the deals (2nd or 3rd rounder) but also gain that $12 million in cap space which they could then put to use elsewhere on the roster, either now or in the future.  That is the basic reason why they will keep Peterson under contract, because they can.

Benefits To The Jaguars

Even after their solid period in free agency, the Jaguars still hold the highest amount of salary cap space at $32 million.  That is more than enough to take on Adrian Peterson and still have plenty left over for other moves if they wished.  More than that though, Peterson represents what the Jags hoped they were getting in Toby Gerhart, his former backup in Minnesota.  By teaming A.P. with surprising find Denard Robinson, they would suddenly have a 1-2 punch for young quarterback Blake Bortles to feed and for a defense to get extra rest from during games.

Best of all, if it doesn’t work out they could simply cut Peterson next year and get back the cap space.

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