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Now that Adrian Peterson has been reinstated, the pressure is on the Minnesota Vikings to determine once and for all what the plan is for the embattled running back. Based on recent comments, something will either happen soon or never.
According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, a source close to the situation has said that the Vikings won’t trade Peterson if a deal doesn’t come to fruition before or during the 2015 NFL Draft.
The source reportedly named six teams in the mix to trade for Peterson: the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s believed the Oakland Raiders are not in the mix despite recent rumors.
Peterson is still under contract with the Vikings for three more years, but has made it clear he doesn’t want to play in Minnesota after the way the team treated him during his child abuse case. Set to make $12.75 million in 2015, he’d have to restructure his deal in order to make a trade happen with just about every team reportedly in the mix.
However, if a trade doesn’t happen in the next week or so, the Vikings appear content with keeping Peterson in place. The running back would essentially be forced to play considering he’d be leaving so much money on the table by continuing to sit out.
It’s become a messy situation for Peterson and the Vikings. Let’s just hope the drama comes to a close sometime soon – no matter what Minnesota ends up doing with the All-Pro running back.
