Fansided

Adrian Peterson may be forced to play for the Vikings

By Will Osgood

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
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 /
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CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported on Twitter Friday that running back Adrian Peterson may be forced to play for the Vikings. 

One of the unknown stories remaining in the NFL offseason–other than the NFL draft of course–is the fate of All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson.

There have been a lot of back-and-forth reports over the last couple of weeks. One day we hear he will be back with the Vikings, the next he wants out. So Jason La Canfora’s latest report is merely sticking in line with that rhythm.

Peterson was of course suspended last season after being arrested in Texas for child abuse. Yet he is slated to make $15.4 million in 2015 with the Vikings, according to Spotrac. That is how much he would cost against the Vikings’ cap.

Trading him is thus a difficult task for the Vikings, as few teams will want to pay that much money to a 29-year-old running back coming off a year-long suspension who yet has over 2,000 career carries, not to mention several hundred more touches on receptions and even as a returner.

That intrigue among teams figures to be even weaker given the strength of this year’s running back class in the NFL draft. For that reason, running back hungry franchises can look to add a player of similar talent, with significantly fewer career touches at about one-eighth of the cost, at most.

Still, if Peterson is available via a trade, the Arizona Cardinals figure to be a potential suitor. But even that is questionable.

The Dallas Cowboys–who lost NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray to their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles–are the popular option for Peterson, in part because of his Texas roots and because his profile fits the high profile of that franchise.

The Cowboys are still often referred to as “America’s Team”, a moniker given to them in their glory days of the late 60s and 70s under legendary head coach Tom Landry and superstar quarterback Roger Staubach.

Peterson himself is a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He is generally thought of as the best running back in today’s game.

The Vikings, though, are apparently trying to keep Peterson at all cost. Time will tell what happens.

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