Fansided

Adrian Peterson: 5 potential landing spots

By Andrew Hammond

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 18: The fire breathing dragon ship during player introductions an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings on DECEMBER 18, 2016, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis MN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 18: The fire breathing dragon ship during player introductions an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings on DECEMBER 18, 2016, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis MN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Some team may be getting a future Hall of Famer soon. it could lead to a championship or continued stagnation of a career that’s headed the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Indications and reports across the internet suggest that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be released soon. At age 32, it’s clear Peterson’s time in in the league is running out, after limited production and injuries over the last 18 months.

Should Minnesota decide to cut ties with Peterson, there will be interest from a bevy of teams, ranging from tepid to white-hot. Here are a few franchises to keep an eye on.

Green Bay Packers

Division rival? Yes. Would be be labeled a turncoat? Yes. Does that give Green Bay the running back it needs to make Aaron Rodgers more lethal in the pocket? Yes.

While Eddie Lacy, Ty Montgomery and James Starks are serviceable they fail to help out the Packers offense like they should. Bringing in Peterson gives Rodgers a running back that keeps the pressure off him and makes the Packers offense that much more powerful.

New York Giants

Another team that is a playmaker away from becoming the top contender in the NFC, the Giants have needed a running back for years. New York finished 29th in the league in rushing last season and could use some diversity in its offense. Even though Peterson is aging, he provides a threat that would keep teams hesitant on focusing on just the passing attack.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Doug Martin hasn’t been great the past few seasons. When he’s been hurt or limited, it’s been a revolving door at the running back spot. Peterson in Tampa Bay would stabilize the running game for the Bucs and young quarterback Jameis Winston.

While this might seem encouraging for a young team, I wonder if Peterson’s durability will hold up on a shaky offensive line. With Mike Evans on the outside, the addition of Peterson would give Tampa Bay the firepower to compete in the NFC South. But with so much youth up front, would Peterson consider this an upgrade?

Dallas Cowboys

Adrian Peterson would love to see this. Jerry Jones would love to see this. However, I just don’t see this happening. With Zeke Elliott the clear starting back for the Cowboys it’s possible we could see Peterson take a backup role in Dallas. Still, it’s hard to envision a star like Peterson taking a back seat, even if it means finally getting a Super Bowl title.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

Houston Texans

Here’s another option for the Texas native. The Texans have some building blocks in a very mediocre AFC South. With each of their divisional opponents treading water, the Texans need to make a splash (or two) on offense this offseason.

With Peterson, you’ve got the star back to pair with Lamar Miller, who rushed for 1,000 yards last season. Match Peterson with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller V, and you’ve got yourself a tremendous lineup. The big question is with all of the firepower on offense, does Peterson want to be with another team that has quarterback issues?

Home/Minnesota Vikings