Colts Reportedly One of Adrian Peterson’s Preferred Suitors
According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Indianapolis Colts are one of five teams that currently embattled Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson prefers in a potential trade:
"While the Dallas Cowboys have been reported to be a Peterson favorite destination, the running back prefers five teams: the Arizona Cardinals, the Indianapolis Colts, the Cowboys, the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That said, even if Peterson requested a trade, the Vikings could refuse and simply pay him the $12.75 million in base salary he’s due in the 2015 season."
While nothing is obviously imminent between the two sides, the Colts are in desperate need of a high-end starting caliber running back this offseason, and have been previously linked to Peterson, as well as other high profile NFL free agent running backs such as the Dallas Cowboys DeMarco Murray and San Francisco 49ers Frank Gore. Whether the team should actually pursue a marquee veteran running back is certainly a hot item of debate.
Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Peterson is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and has yet to be reinstated by the NFL. While Peterson hasn’t completely ruled out returning to the Vikings, he has said to have been “uneasy” about the possibility previously. However, Vikings officials are reportedly scheduled to meet with Peterson today in Houston, Texas, in order to ease any tensions and persuade him to return to the only team he’s ever known.
If the two sides can’t mutually agree on the star running back’s return, then Peterson has suggested that he’d be willing to consider a contract restructuring in order to help better facilitate a trade from Minnesota per Robinson. Furthermore, in Robinson’s piece, he noted that sources close to Peterson have indicated that, “All the options are open,” regarding Peterson’s future.
Having been consistently one of the NFL’s best running backs, it’s been a tumultuous last year for Peterson, who missed all but one game of last season because of child abuse charges and its ensuing controversy.
However, from purely a football standpoint, he’s just one year removed from a season in which he rushed on 279 carries for 1,266 rushing yards (4.5 ypc) and 10 touchdowns. At age 29, and having undergone little worn tread on his tires last season, Peterson still figures to have a handful of highly productive seasons no matter which organization he ultimately ends up playing for.
We’ve previously noted that the Colts have been monitoring Peterson’s status, and it looks like there will be mutual interest should he actually be released or actively allowed to pursue a trade. It’s a situation well-worth monitoring, as the offseason progresses.
Feb 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson addresses the media outside the U.S. District Courthouse with his wife Ashley Brown Peterson as the NFL Players Association