Vikings’ Adrian Peterson can be traded

By CM Towle | Apr 15, 2015

Oct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Packers defeated the Vikings 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson can be traded without being removed from the Commissioner Exempt List.

If the Vikings want to, they can trade running back Adrian Peterson right now. According to Ed Werder of ESPN, Peterson can be traded without being removed or reinstated from the NFL Commissioner Exempt List. This will start the Peterson talks and speculation all over again after some quiet weeks where he implied he might stay with the Vikings, while other implications said that bridge was burnt beyond repair.

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The league said that Peterson could not be considered for reinstatement until April 15th, which is today. They did not say that he would be reinstated, only that it would be eligible for consideration. But the Vikings are free to trade Peterson whenever they want, whether he’s reinstated or not. Of course, the question is, will another team want to trade for him with that up in the air?

When you’re talking about one of the best running backs in the league, sure they would. There are some teams that desperately need a good running back and would possibly be willing to wait it out. If the Vikings want to keep him, then the league drawing the reinstatement out benefits them as well. For example, if it’s drawn out past the upcoming NFL Draft, it might give teams a chance to get a back in the draft. Teams that might have previously been interested in Peterson.

However, the Vikings will need to demonstrate a show of loyalty to Peterson if they really intend to keep him. They may be fine with the reinstatement being drawn out, but they need to make some effort to push back to the league if they want Peterson to stay.

So keep an eye on what the team does, Vikings fans, if Peterson’s reinstatement is drawn out. The team should be ready to release a statement of disappointment or support for Peterson’s quick reinstatement in order to make amends for some of the public relations that have gone on since then. At the very least it might help Peterson think differently about the team.

The Cowboys have been the popular thought process for snagging Peterson, but it’s important to remember what Peterson means to the Vikings. He’s their most popular and arguably their best player. If they trade him, it almost assuredly means the start of a rebuilding era. The only thing the Vikings would get from trading Peterson is salary cap space.

H/T Pro Football Talk

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