Are the Dallas Cowboys officially out of the race to acquire superstar Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson following their one-year, $11.3 million contract with pass rusher Greg Hardy?
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys knew that they had to make a splash after letting star running back DeMarco Murray go in free agency, and they agreed to a one-year, $11.3 million deal with pass rusher Greg Hardy.
Hardy is facing some potential punishment from the NFL in connection with his off-the-field issues involving domestic violence last season. Despite that issue, this is a huge move that will bolster their defense in a big way when he is on the field. Dallas had been mentioned in trade rumors surrounding Adrian Peterson, but this move makes that a very unlikely scenario.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter even pointed this out directly…
And with Dallas paying Greg Hardy $11.3 million, makes it incredibly difficult to now acquire Adrian Peterson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2015
Obviously, following this tweet from Schefter, the question becomes whether or not the Cowboys are truly out of the race to acquire Peterson.
More from Dallas Cowboys
- Cowboys give a masterclass in defense construction with Trevon Diggs extension
- Ranking the Cowboys top training camp priorities after Zack Martin mess
- NFL rumors: Cowboys, Steelers connected to trade for Jets cut candidate
- Cowboys drama: Protecting Dak Prescott just got much tougher for Dallas
- NFL rumors: 3 Cowboys contingency plans if they lose Tony Pollard in 2024
Peterson has been linked to the Cowboys in the past, and Jones has made it clear that he would love to have Peterson on his football team. Almost every single owner in the NFL would love to have a running back with the type of talent that Peterson possesses. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it is nearly impossible for them to bring in the $15.4 million cap hit that Peterson possesses for the 2015 season.
Dallas already went out and signed former Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden, and they will need to give Dez Bryant a new long-term contract as well.
Not only does Peterson have a big cap hit for 2015, but he also holds a $15 million cap hit in 2016 and $17 million cap hit in 2017. Those contract numbers simply won’t work for what the Cowboys are wanting to do in the future. There was a reason that they weren’t willing to give Murray the type of $8 million per year deal that he was wanting.
As much as the Cowboys want to bring Peterson on board, it simply isn’t plausible with the way that their financial situation is set up. Bryant’s new deal is going to be a monster contract, and they still have a ton of money wrapped up in Tony Romo through the 2020 season. There isn’t enough money to go around for them to make a deal for Peterson unless they shipped out one of their higher priced players to Minnesota.
If the Vikings do end up trading Peterson, it isn’t going to be just so they can make a move. They will want a very good return back, and they won’t want another highly paid player. Dallas still owes Tyron Smith and Brandon Carr a good amount of money over the next few seasons as well.
Schefter’s tweet is 100 percent true and the Cowboys are going to be out on the Peterson race. They were very steady in their belief that their offensive line was a big part of Murray’s success last season. Dallas simply will not break the bank to bring in a player, even one as good as Peterson, following this deal with Hardy.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle