The Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson look like they will stick together for the 2015 season after the running back was not traded during the NFL draft and while a team like the Dallas Cowboys could still conceivably trade for Peterson, reports have his agent looking for a new contract from the Vikings, which could result in a holdout during training camp.
Peterson was mentioned in trade rumors all offseason after he was placed on the exempt list last year, but it looks like he will remain in Minnesota. According to ESPN.com, the Vikings were willing to trade Peterson, but only if they were "blown away" by an offer that included high draft picks. Peterson had interest from the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, but currently neither team is pursuing a trade.
Peterson has expressed his love for the city of Dallas and Outside the Lines reported last year about mutual respect between Peterson and Jerry Jones. Peterson was reportedly upset with the Vikings and the NFL for the way he was placed on the exempt list while his legal case was pending, as ESPN.com reported that he expected to play during that time. The Vikings have been consistent this offseason about wanting to bring Peterson back and it looks like they are following through on that.
Peterson has a high salary cap number and that makes a deal tougher anyway, as he is making $12.75 million in base salary and counts $15 million on the cap. Peterson is 30 years old and has remained productive when healthy and while missing a year is bad, it means he is slightly less beat up than other running backs his age. The next issue for the Vikings and Peterson could be his contract.
According to USA Today, Peterson's agent Ben Dogra said that he "appreciates" the Vikings following through on not trading Peterson, but that he wants a "commitment" from the team moving forward. While Peterson is well compensated with three years and $46 million on his contract, the team doesn't own him anything until the season starts and Dogra may want the team to give more guaranteed money to his client moving forward. Dogra also mentioned showing action to have Peterson "retire a Viking".
With Peterson likely staying in Minnesota, ESPN reporter Ben Goessling writes that Peterson may have to adjust to a new offense. Last season Teddy Bridgewater won the starting job, but Peterson only played in one game and that did not give him much time to learn the offense. The team employs a shotgun style for Bridgewater and that could take some getting used to. Peterson is one of the best backs of all-time and Ben Goessling writes that he is expecting to be "nothing less than a feature back."
ESPN Stats & Information pointed out that McKinnon and Asiata played out of shotgun formations more times last season than Peterson has used in Minnesota during his entire career. Peterson comes in after playing in one game last season and rushing for 75 yards against the Rams. Peterson has been very productive following his ACL injury, rushing for over 2000 yards the next season and adding 1266 yards in 2013. Peterson has had 22 touchdowns in that span and he comes in looking to keep that going in 2015.
