The Minnesota Vikings want star running back Adrian Peterson back in the fold for the 2015 season, despite his off the field controversy and advancing age and injury history, because he is simply-put their best player. But Peterson isn’t as sure, and has used surrogates to hint that he wants to be traded to a contending team where he can start over. With the NFL Draft approaching, can the Vikings mend fences with their star player before they have to trade him?
If Adrian Peterson forces a trade and the Minnesota Vikings end up having to dump him, the silver lining is that there will be at least one eager suitor in the form of the Cowboys. However other teams may be more hesitant to take on the running back, who was charged with beating his son with a switch and became the center of a national firestorm, causing him to be suspended for the remainder of the season. The lack of suitors means no bidding war, and the Vikings may not be able to get sufficient compensation to make it worth their while. So what then?
The short answer is to figure out how to make Peterson comfortable remaining with the Minnesota Vikings. The biggest selling point may be the presence of rising quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who could elevate the team into mild contender status is his second season under center turns out as well as his first. Beyond that the Vikings could offer a contract extension, but that may not be viable considering Peterson will be north of thirty soon.
Frank Florio
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