Jaguars could make push to acquire Adrian Peterson?

By Evan Massey | Apr 8, 2015

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talks along the sidelines during the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Jacksonville Jaguars could make a push to acquire Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson.

Adrian Peterson has been rumored to be on the trade block, although the Minnesota Vikings have made it clear that they want to bring him back in 2015. They want to pair him up alongside of second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but he hasn’t shown a ton of interest in giving them that opportunity just yet.

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Last season was an absolute nightmare for Peterson, as he ended up getting suspended for all but the first game of the season due to off-the-field issues after being accused of child abuse for using a switch while spanking his son. Minnesota helped work with the NFL to get a long-term suspension in place, which is why he feels wary of returning. The feeling of betrayal is not an easy feeling to get over, and that is what the Vikings have to figure out how to come back from.

If Minnesota does decide to entertain the idea of trading him, there are a few teams that have been mentioned as potential candidates to acquire him.

The Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and surprisingly the Jacksonville Jaguars are all listed as teams to watch. The Cardinals, Cowboys and Jaguars are all in desperate need for an upgrade at the running back position, which causes issues for the Jaguars and their possible interest. Jacksonville isn’t a team on many people’s lists, but they have a lot of money and already made a free agent splash by signing Julius Thomas.

According to SI’s Peter King, the Jaguars are his “upset special” in the Peterson sweepstakes.

"I see Dallas or Arizona—or my upset special, Jacksonville, still awash in cap money—making this deal only if Peterson can make the financials easier on them, and if the Vikings are willing to take a lesser pick for him. For now, I don’t think the Vikings are willing to do that. And so it’s a stalemate."

There is no question that Peterson is the top running back in the NFL when he is on the field and healthy. His combination of strength and speed forces defenses to focus primarily on shutting him down, which opens up the passing game. Peterson is the type of offensive workhorse that forces defenses out of their comfort zones, and that is why he is such a valuable piece.

Needless to say, it would be tough to see him leave the Vikings if that does end up happening. He has been the face of their franchise since being drafted with the seventh overall pick back in the 2007 NFL Draft. Teddy Bridgewater appears to be the type of franchise quarterback that the Vikings have been looking to pair him with, and to see him leave now would be a shame.

So why do the Jaguars need to acquire Peterson and how would he impact them? His presence would take a huge load of pressure off of the Jaguars’ young quarterback Blake Bortles, and would give the Jaguars another dynamic to their offense.

Last season, the Jaguars ranked 31st in passing yards per game and 21st in rushing yards. Both of those areas would be improved by adding Peterson to the offense. He would immediately become an every down threat for the Jaguars, and would open up the passing game for all of the youth that Jacksonville has compiled.

Of course, all of this will depend on whether or not the Vikings actually choose to move Peterson. They want to keep him, but if Peterson continues to push his way out of town they might very well cave into his request. Jacksonville is going to have to battle with multiple other teams to acquire him, but they will certainly be one of the front-runners with the money that they have to spend and the young talent that they can send back to Minnesota in return.

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