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Where Will Adrian Peterson Play This Season?

By George Stockburger

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After being reinstated on Friday, Adrian Peterson is officially back in the NFL. The 30-year-0ld running back had pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of recklessly assaulting  his four-year-old son with a switch. Peterson was indicted on September 12th indicted by a Montgomery County, Texas grand jury, but avoided a possible jail sentence after reaching a plea agreement with the court in Texas. He was put on probation and also fined $4,000 to go along with 80 hours of community service. In the midst of the charges, he was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, thus ending his 2014 season.

After his legal situations were cleared up, Peterson’s agent told the media and the Minnesota Vikings in February that his client had no interest in returning to the team. At the NFL owners meeting, Peterson’s agent Ben Dogra told reporters “I don’t think it’s in Adrian’s best interest to play in Minnesota. Why would it be?”

The Vikings brass made a visit to Peterson’s home earlier this year to try and reconcile with the star runningback, but it is not publicly known how that meeting went and if it changed Peterson’s mind on wanting to play in Minnesota.

Peterson is under contract for three more years, including $12.75 million this year, so being able to move the 30-year-old runningback would be a difficult task for General Manager Rick Spielman. But this is the NFL, and crazier things have been done. The team also didn’t sound like they were giving him a vote of confidence when they announced his reinstatement.

The Minnesota Vikings have been informed by the NFL that Adrian Peterson has been reinstated. We look forward to Adrian re-joining the Vikings.

While a hollow press release to state the obvious may not be the first thing to look at, it certainly doesn’t sound as enthusiastic as it could have been.

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At the same time, a team on the cusp of a championship could see the benefits of  giving up a couple picks to bring in a Hall of Fame caliber runningback to give them that extra push.

Teams like Dallas, Arizona, Jacksonville and Oakland all have needs at runningback and have been rumored to have interest in Peterson. While Peterson’s cap hit is large, there are teams with the cap flexability to make room for him. Tony Romo has offered to restructure his contract to add Peterson, and the team is expected to drop about $30 million in cap next season.

To Minnesota’s dismay, they wouldn’t be able to get the farm back for Adrian Peterson from a team with runningback needs. In a draft full of runningback talent, most teams will hold onto their picks and wait until the second or third round to find a younger face for the franchise.

We also have no idea what kind of shape Peterson will be in. He will either be refreshed from not playing a year or rusty from not playing a year. He also has over 10,000 yards or wear and tear on his body. He’s no young chicken anymore. The age of 30 is about when runningbacks start to go stale.

Here’s what some of the staff members at NFL Mocks thought could be in-store for Adrian Peterson.

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t think Adrian Peterson is leaving Minnesota. He’s a 30 year old running back with a 15.4 million dollar contract hit for the upcoming season. Most teams aren’t going to want to fork up that kind of money especially in a year where the running back talent is so deep. To pry him away from Minnesota it would take a big trade offer — larger than a 30 year old running back should yield. Due to his contract and talent level, I would be surprised to see him anywhere bit Minnesota next season. – Charles McDonald (@McDraft2)

I can tell you right now that the Cowboys aren’t trading for him. That would be a Jerry Jones move. Stephen Jones and Will McClay run this team roster-wise now. That’s why we picked Zack Martin instead of Johnny. A 1st round pick for Peterson 5 years ago would’ve worked.. But not today.. I think he is a Viking as well. Cardinals are a possibility but I don’t see Bruce Arians overpaying for that. – Jonah Tuls (@jonahtuls15)

I would count the Jags out. I know there were some preliminary rumors that they could be a sleeper, but unless he can be had for a 4th or 5th, they’re out. – Bo Martin

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