The Minnesota Vikings supposedly expect Adrian Peterson to return to the team when his suspension ends. The running back, meanwhile, reportedly is looking elsewhere, with the Dallas Cowboys mentioned as a possibility.
Based on a story coming out of the NFL combine in Indianapolis, it sure seems like the latter is more likely to happen.
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com has the story:
The decaying relationship between Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson and the organization took a dramatic turn during the combine last week in downtown Indianapolis: Peterson’s agent, Ben Dogra, had to be separated from a member of Minnesota’s front office during a heated verbal altercation about the former Pro Bowler, according to numerous sources with knowledge of the situation.
According to the sources, Dogra engaged in a heated exchange with Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski during which the agent made it clear that Peterson would never play there again. The incident took place during a time when outside parties were in the vicinity. Finally, former Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik intervened, separating the men and diffusing the escalating tension, sources said.
The Vikings did not respond to requests to comment for this report. Dogra did not respond to numerous messages. Dominik has not commented as well.
La Canfora’s sources are telling him that Peterson “has no intention of playing again for the Vikings,” even though he’s under contract through the 2017 season.
“He will never play another game for the Vikings,” one person close to the player told La Canfora. “It’s over.”
Unless the NFLPA wins in court, Peterson cannot be reinstated until April 15 at the earliest. He was suspended after allegations arose that he abused his 4-year-old son with a switch. Peterson eventually pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.
It may be easier for the Vikings simply to cut Peterson, who turns 30 on March 21, than seek out a trading partner who might be unwilling to pay the $48 million remaining on his contract over the next three years. Cutting Peterson would not negatively affect Minnesota’s salary-cap situation, La Canfora writes, adding that the Cowboys and possibly the Redskins (“a dark-horse potential suitor”) could end up with him.
After spending the first 17 years of his Post career writing and editing, Matt and the printed paper had an amicable divorce in 2014. He's now blogging and editing for the Early Lead and the Post's other Web-based products.
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