The Minnesota Vikings are coming into the offseason with numerous questions surrounding Adrian Peterson and his future status and there is a chance he could traded or released this year and this comes as the team may consider moves with Matt Cassel, Greg Jennings and Chad Greenway as they build around Teddy Bridgewater.
UPDATE: According to reports, Matt Cassel has been traded to the Buffalo Bills. The deal cannot be finalized until next week. More to come. This deal comes after reports that the Bills have also traded for LeSean McCoy with the Eagles for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Peterson's future is the main issue this offseason and after his suspension was overturned on appeal, things could happen much faster than anyone expected. According to ESPN.com, Ben Goessling writes that Peterson's status could change soon after the league year begins and that would allow him to be traded, released or have his contract restructured. Peterson is likely to get asked to take a pay cut, as he has the highest salary cap hit of any running back in the league.
The Vikings are projected to have over $20 million in cap space and they can free up more by changing up Peterson's deal and also by cutting veterans. Greg Jennings could be on the chopping block with his salary near $10 million, while Matt Cassel also could go. According to Fox Sports North, the Vikings may look at releasing Cassel or making a trade, as they are firmly behind Bridgewater as the starter and Cassel is making over $4 million next year.
Moving Cassel isn't as pressing of a situation as Peterson or Jennings, as his cap hit is not high and as SB Nation points out, Bridgewater only costs $1.5 million on the cap. Peterson's status likely will get dealt with early on, as the Vikings know that he will want to start preparing for the 2015 season once he is activated. Peterson is making $12.75 million in salary this season and after missing all of 2014 apart from one game, he will be motivated to have a bounce back year.
According to ESPN.com, Peterson is "unsure" about returning to the Vikings after the way he was placed on the exempt list last season and this comes as the team has been very open about wanting him to return. Pro Football Talk reports that if Peterson is traded or released, teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys could be potential landing spots. The Washington Redskins and Patriots also could be fits, but those three teams appear to be the favorites along with the Vikings. The Cardinals have a huge void at running back, as do the Colts and Indy also comes in with a high amount of cap space this offseason. The Cowboys have long been mentioned as an option for Peterson and that talk will only continue if they don't sign DeMarco Murray in free agency.
The Vikings have Jennings coming back after a disappointing season and they could look at cutting him heading into the spring. The team has options on the market as free agents, including Harry Douglas, Brian Hartline, Hakeem Nicks, Wes Welker and Cecil Shorts. The Vikings also could look at striking a new deal with Chad Greenway, as the Star Tribune reports that Rick Spielman wants to bring him back in 2015. Greenway is set to make $7 million this season and the team could look at lowering that number as he is 32 years old.
