8 Reasons The Vikings Won't, Shouldn't Trade Adrian Peterson
The NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, and Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson's fate with the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings is still up in the air. Will the Vikings trade Peterson? Will they wait until the draft to see if any teams will make an offer Minnesota can't refuse?
Do fans want Peterson back with the Vikings? Here are eight reasons the Vikings won't trade Adrian Peterson and why they shouldn't.
Peterson Contractually Required To Come Back
First and foremost, Adrian Peterson is currently under contract with the Minnesota Vikings and doesn't become a free agent until 2017. He's legally required, unless the organization decides differently, to play for the Vikings this year. Peterson is due $12.75 million this season, and at the latest we will know his status by June, when the team holds mandatory mini camp. If he doesn't show up for that, he'll be fined and it will ultimately tell his future in Minnesota.
Free Agent Running Backs Signed With Other Teams For Less Than AP's Salary
The day NFL free agency started, it became pretty clear that Peterson is the highest-paid running back in football and it's not even close. Free agent running backs, including LeSean McCoy, Trent Richardson, Frank Gore. DeMarco Murray, C.J. Spiller, Ryan Mathews and Shane Vereen, signed with teams for far less than what Peterson is due this year. The most expensive free agent contracts for running backs went for between $6 and $8 million per year. If Peterson wants all of his nearly $13 million that's due, he's staying with the Vikings.
NFL Becoming More Running Back By Committee
Most NFL teams have shifted their focus with running backs and use multiple players over a season. There are only a few teams, including the Vikings, that have the option for one featured back that can carry the load with a player like Peterson. It also indicates the running back position is losing value in the NFL, which means teams won't be paying that spot big money like Peterson has with the Vikings. In that instance, Peterson needs the Vikings as much as the Vikings need him.
Vikings Have Playoff Potential With Adrian Peterson
The Vikings went 7-9 in Mike Zimmer's first season as head coach, and Adrian Peterson only played in one game. He was deactivated in Week 2 and spent most of the season on the NFL's exempt list. If he comes back to the Vikings, that makers their offense that much more dynamic with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and top wide receiver Mike Wallace among other weapons. The Vikings have a legitimate chance to be a playoff contender, but only if Peterson wants to play here.
Teams Won't Trade Valuable Draft Picks For Adrian Peterson
NFL Draft picks are valuable, and at least so far, no organization has tipped its hand that it would give the Vikings a first-round pick or multiple picks for Peterson. This year's running back class in the draft also has a lot of talent, so teams would be more likely to take a younger player and let him develop for less money than trade assets for an older Peterson.
Vikings Hold The Power Over Peterson
The Vikings have stated publicly that Peterson is under contract and they expect him to play in Minnesota this season. The Vikings have mandatory mini camp in June, and he will be fined if he doesn't participate. If he doesn't show up for Training Camp in August, he faces bigger fines. If he attends minicamp or training camp, that should clear up his status. If he doesn't, then it's clear he doesn't want to be here anymore. In any event, the Vikings hold the power in the situation whether he likes it or not.
Public Perception Is At Risk Regardless Of Team
The Minnesota Vikings took heat from fans and sponsors last fall not suspending him immediately following allegations of child abuse. It's become an ugly legal battle on multiple fronts and it's still ongoing, but other NFL teams might not be willing to take a hit to their public perception by trading for Peterson. In several surveys, many Vikings fans said they want him back in Minnesota if he wants to return. Nobody doubts his football ability, but organizations outside of Minnesota could be hesitant to pursue him after this latest legal process, especially for fear of fan backlash.
Trade Would Require Starting Over At Running Back
If Adrian Peterson truly is unhappy with the Vikings and wants to be traded, it means the organization has to start over at running back. That's the last thing they want to do. While this year's draft has talent and the Vikings do have some potential at running back, they'd prefer to stick with Peterson. He's a player that can score from anywhere on the field and lead them to the playoffs. Peterson is far more a sure thing football-wise than any rookie they might draft.
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It's been a rollercoaster ride as the process has unfolded, and most of us are over it. But we'll know a lot more about Peterson's status with the Vikings and in the NFL once he's reinstated.