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NFL does Vikings huge favor by reinstating Adrian Peterson before the draft

By Josh Criswell

Oct 8, 2014; Conroe, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson enters the Montgomery county courthouse for his arraignment. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2014; Conroe, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson enters the Montgomery county courthouse for his arraignment. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Adrian Peterson’s reinstatement by the NFL today gives the Vikings ample time to gauge the running back’s future in Minnesota. 

Adrian Peterson has been a constant headache for the Minnesota Vikings ever since news broke that their star running back was being indicted on child abuse charges. The response was swift and Peterson was suspending him indefinitely.

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Fortunately for the organization, the NFL has reinstated Peterson, and in doing so, the Vikings have two weeks until the draft to decide whether or not the troubled player will be a part of their plans for the future.

To say the decision will be a tough one is a major understatement, which makes the next two weeks leading up to the NFL Draft an extremely crucial time for the organization. Whatever decision the Vikings make will be highly scrutinized, but even more importantly it will shape the franchise’s outlook for the foreseeable future.

Do they stick alongside Peterson, who has been the face of the franchise and the top running back in the NFL for almost the entirety of his eight seasons in Minnesota? Or is time to move on from a potential public relations nightmare?

Given Peterson’s inexcusable actions, which include abusing his 4-year old son so badly that the young child was left bruised and bleeding, the organization has to give serious thought to moving on. In addition to this disturbing incident, Peterson’s outrageous salary of $11.75 million gives the team even more incentive to deal the former MVP and 6-time All-Pro.

The NFL’s reinstatement of Peterson comes at the perfect time for the Vikings. With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, trade rumors are swirling regarding first round pick swaps and blockbuster moves. Several teams are looking for an upgrade at running back for next season, in particular the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

The Chargers have yet to express any desire in acquiring Peterson, but Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ interest in the embattled running back is no secret, and it is a common belief that the feeling is mutual. Just last season, the team was nearly penalized for tampering with the Vikings’ running back, regarding a phone conversation between Peterson and Jones in which both parties expressed a mutual desire to see him in a Cowboys uniform.

With the No. 27 pick in the first round, the Cowboys have an interesting trade asset to acquire the elite running back they need to replace DeMarco Murray, last season’s rushing champion who bolted for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

Is a late first round pick worthy of one of the league’s premier running backs? Under normal circumstances, absolutely not. In Minnesota’s case, however, it is definitely worth a look, especially with top running back talents Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon expected to go in the first round of this year’s draft.

Neither Adrian Peterson or the Vikings organization have given ringing endorsements regarding his future with the team, and the best option for both parties is probably to split ways. The NFL’s decision to reinstate Peterson today, two weeks in advance of the draft, is a huge favor to the Vikings that finally allows the team to focus on their future instead of the constant headache that Adrian Peterson has become.

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