Report: Adrian Peterson Wants A “Fresh Start,” Trade Could Be An Option

Update:

Ian Rapoport is now reporting that even though Vikings GM Rick Spielman and HC Mike Zimmer have reached out to RB Adrian Peterson in recent weeks, he wants a “fresh start.”

According to Rapoport, the Vikings have no plans to release Peterson as this point in time. However, Rapoport admits that a trade could still be an option for them.

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Adrian Peterson tells Ben Goessling of ESPN.com that he’s “still uneasy” about the idea of playing the Vikings after they worked with the NFL get him placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.

Peterson questions just how much support he really has from the Vikings.

“There were people (in the organization) that I trusted, who knew exactly what was said, that weren’t heard from” in the decision-making process, Peterson said.

NFLPA sued the league on Peterson’s behalf a few weeks ago to get him immediately reinstated, which would allow him to be traded or testing the open market in the event he was released.

However, he’ll need the help of the court for any of this to be possible or he won’t be reinstated until April 15.

Peterson seems to feel like the Vikings and the fanbase turned their backs on.

“It shows you can have all the loyalty toward someone and toward an organization, a fanbase, but when things really shift and it’s you or the empire, they’re gonna put you out on a leash,” Peterson said. “I said, ‘Of course (I would love to come back to the Vikings, after a court hearing in Minneapolis on Feb. 6).’ I said it. But my emotions, as far as those things I feel, those are for players like (linebacker) Chad Greenway, those guys that play the game just like me, that have the same passion I have, the same goal I have, to win a championship. That’s where it comes from. It don’t come from the organization. I’m not in a good place when it comes to that.”

All indications from the Vikings have been that they want him back next year, but if he really wants to move on and has no intention of playing for them again, Minnesota may have to consider trading him or taking the cap relief.

Peterson, 29, still has another three years remaining on his seven-year, $96 million contract that included $36 million guaranteed. Over the next three years, Peterson stands to make base salaries of $12.75 million (2015), $14.75 million (2016), and $16.75 million (2017).

As for his cap figures, the Vikings are looking at $15.4 million (2015), $15 million (2016), and $17 million (2017).

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Peterson outright would free up $13 million in available cap space and create $2.4 million dead money.

Peterson appeared in just one game for the Vikings and ran for 75 yards on 21 carries (3.6 YPC) while adding two receptions for 18 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding the Vikings and Peterson as the news is available.