Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson Trade Rumors

Aug 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back

(28) high fives fans as he leaves the stadium against the Arizona Cardinals at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, more Adrian Peterson rumors.

Despite phone calls between Peterson and Jerry Jonesthat professed their shared admiration for one another ::puke::, it looks less and less likely that the Dallas Cowboys will be a viable option for a Peterson trade. Dallas has seemingly changed their thought processes on veterans in general and specifically running backs, including lettingDeMarco Murraytake a pile of money to join the Philadelphia Eagles. Brandon George of the Dallas Morning Newsis praising the Cowboysfor their new found, fiscally responsible ways.

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Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have been floated out as a possibility as well.Larry Fitzgerald, who is “One of Us” and just signed an extension was mentioned as a possible chip to come back in a Peterson trade. Now thatMike Wallaceis in town the Fitzgerald connection makes less sense to begin with. Additionally, the Cardinals are choking on the 3 years and $25 million dollars guaranteed that Peterson is seeking.According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, a Cardinals source has anonymously said there is “No way” they would take on Peterson at that price. An understandable position, to be sure.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneershave been bandied aboutas a potential landing spot for Peterson as well. The running back’s affinity for former Vikings’ head coach and current defensive coordinatorLeslie Frazieris well-known. More than that, the Buccaneers have proven over the past couple of seasons that they are willing to take expensive chances on aging stars. None of those chances,Darrelle RevisandMichael Johnsonmost notably, worked out but hey, they tried. That might be the biggest stumbling block to a potential deal with Tampa though. They tried the quick fix approach and they ended up with the worst record in football in 2014. As it stands that could be a good thing as it netted them the number one pick in the draft. Still, a rebuilding team would seem foolish to part with future assets for an aging rental.

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I’m sure many of you are as ready for this story to end as I am. Despite everything, my first preference would be to have number 28 in the Minnesota backfield for at least one more season.As Jordyn, Drew, Nick and myselfdiscussed over the weekend, we like where this offense is headed. While I still believe it would do well withJerick McKinnon,Matt Asiataand Running Back X, Peterson is one of the greatest backs of all-time. Still, I don’t want this team to always be a traveling circus. If it ultimately is best for the team to trade him for a reasonably high pick, so be it.

The question is whether any team is willing to pay the necessary price to get him.

Next: A Discussion on the Vikings' WR Moves, Part 1

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