At the NFL Owners Meetings on Monday, it was made 100 percent evident that running back Adrian Peterson no longer wanted to be a member of the Minnesota Vikings. It wasn’t said in a subtle fashion and it wasn’t one that has the Dallas Cowboys and other teams wondering where his heart is.
“We want out of Minnesota,” said Ben Dogra, Peterson’s agent.
That was what Dogra said to USA Today , and it was something that made things perfectly clear and concrete as to where Adrian Peterson wants to play this season. The Vikings are still steadfast that they won’t release the running back who they paid $13 million in 2014.
Trade rumors have been fueled by all of this, but Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman didn’t even really think there was an issue at hand.
“Adrian’s a member of our football team. He’s under contract with us. We are focused on the 2015 season and expect Adrian to be a part of that. Our whole focus is getting ready for that season with Adrian.”
As soon as the word from Peterson’s agent made it out to the world, the rumor mill really started up again. SB Nation reported that the Dallas Cowboys are once again incredibly interested in Peterson, even though they now have Darren McFadden on the roster.
Reports that Cowboys also looking at Adrian Peterson for right price. Because you don’t want to overspend on redemption.
— Jane McManus (@janesports) March 24, 2015
This tweet is in reference to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones picking up former Carolina panthers’ defensive end Greg Hardy for $11.3 million on a one-year deal. Hardy was convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend last year and played just one game, the same amount that Peterson played.
“If I’m @realjerryjones I offer the 27th pick in the 1st rnd STRAIGHT UP for @AdrianPeterson .” – @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/NfcRafpXMz
— ESPN First Take (@ESPN_FirstTake) March 24, 2015
Skip Bayless thinks that the Cowboys could get Peterson for their late first round pick, and it’s quite possibly they could. Losing Peterson via trade would save the Vikings $13 million against the 2015 salary cap.
Currently, the Cowboys are just $1.587 million under the salary cap, and that means a lot of things would need to be done for Adrian Peterson to be brought in. Still, if the chances of bringing Peterson into Dallas exists, then Jerry Jones will work something.
There are other teams that are said to be interested in acquiring Adrian Peterson via trade and they are the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. Pro Football Talk reports that none of them, including Cardinals coach Bruce Arians , will say anything.
“I’m not saying jack,” Arians said, via Darren Urban of the team’s official website. “You trying to get me fined?”
No-one is saying much right now and that includes the Dallas Cowboys as the rumors of Adrian Peterson being traded begin to heat up. It is obvious that he wants out of Minnesota, but will he get his wish?
[Image via Off The Record ]