Did Tony Romo restructure Cowboys contract for Adrian Peterson?

By Evan Massey | Apr 1, 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 /

Did Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Tony Romo restructure his contract to save the team $13 million in order for the team to make a move for superstar running back Adrian Peterson?

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a contract restructure this afternoon that saved the team $13 million in cap space. The move came out of nowhere, but it is a big move for the team in order to allow them to go after another piece or two following the loss of DeMarco Murray in free agency. Philadelphia was able to sign Murray, and it has left the Cowboys without a legitimate starting running back.

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One name to keep an eye on now that the Cowboys have opened up $13 million in cap room is Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson. He has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason long, and has made it clear that he wants out of Minnesota. His cap hit for 2015 is $15.4 million, and the Cowboys can now afford to bring him on board if they choose to do so.

Did Romo restructure his deal in order to save the Cowboys enough to go out and acquire Peterson from the Vikings?

Murray was a huge part of the Cowboys’ offense last season, and ended up running for 1,845 yards. That type of production from the running back position was a huge key for the success that Dallas had offensively last season. It also took pressure off of Romo which allowed him to come through with a big season.

Peterson is without question the NFL’s best running back, and he has said in the past that he’d like to play for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones shared those sentiments and it immediately started rumors about Peterson and Jones actually making something happen and bringing him to Dallas.

During the 2014 season, Peterson only played in one regular season game because of all the off field drama that he went through. He was accused of child abuse after spanking his son with a switch, and was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Minnesota worked closely alongside of the league to suspend Peterson, and he feels betrayed and back stabbed and would like to be traded.

Throughout his eight-year NFL career, Peterson has carried the football 2,054 times for 10,190 yards and 86 touchdowns.

Dallas is definitely looking to make a play for Peterson by getting this type of deal done with Romo this offseason. If they cannot acquire Peterson from the Vikings then they will look elsewhere for running back help, but saving this type of money is an obvious move to make a run at Peterson.

Playing behind the talented offensive line that the Cowboys have put together would make Peterson an even more unstoppable force than he was in his career with the Vikings. Dallas does not want to rely on Darren McFadden or a rookie to fill their running back position, and Peterson could definitely be had at the right price. Minnesota isn’t going to give him away, but Jones has shown in the past that he will give up valuable assets to bring in talent.

There is no coincidence that Romo’s restructure gave the Cowboys just enough money to acquire Peterson. Dallas is going to make a very aggressive push to acquire Peterson, but everything will depend on whether or not Minnesota decides to actually give in to Peterson’s trade request.

As the 2015 NFL Draft continues to approach it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys and Vikings jump into trade discussions. Minnesota could very well make a deal if the Cowboys give them a first round pick, and would simply use that pick to select either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon. The last thing that the Vikings want to do is keep Peterson in town and have him be unhappy and cause unrest.

Expect to see the Cowboys begin making their push to acquire Peterson in the near future. They have opened up the necessary finances in order to make the move, and there is no doubt that Jones will do whatever he can to make it happen. Peterson will also likely push the Vikings on his side to make a move to send him to the Cowboys.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see a trade go down that sends Peterson to the Cowboys, although Minnesota isn’t going to move him just to move him. Dallas will have to make a very competitive offer, but that likely won’t be an issue either. Rumors will likely begin flying around in the near future, and it is going to be an entertaining situation to watch.

Next: Tony Romo restructures deal with Cowboys, saves cap space

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