Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports that Vikings GM Rick Spielman requested a dinner meeting with Adrian Peterson‘s agent, Ben Dogra, at the owner’s meeting.
However, Dogra reportedly rejected Spielman’s offer, which could be seen as a bad sign for Peterson returning to Minnesota next year.
Robinson mentions that this could be message to the team’s ownership, considering that they could apply pressure to either rework Peterson’s contract or possibly make him available for trade.
Multiple sources have told Robinson that Peterson is not happy in Minnesota, even after meeting with Spielman and HC Mike Zimmer in recent weeks.
- Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that Spielman told Dogra that they won’t release his client.
- Pelissero pointed out that if the Vikings were going to release Peterson and get nothing in return for him, they would have done so back in September.
- According to Pelissero, Minnesota is still hoping to keep him, but Peterson still has concerns about returning to the Vikings.
Since free agency got under way last week, there has been a lot of talk that Peterson could eventually seek a trade out of Minnesota.
For what it’s worth, Robinson previously reported that Peterson prefers to be traded to five teams including: the Cardinals, Colts, Cowboys, Chargers and Buccaneers.
Although, the Cowboys seem like an unlikely option now that they’ve signed DE Greg Hardy, and the same can be said of the Colts, who brought in veteran RB Frank Gore last week.
Arizona and San Diego look like the two teams that would make the most sense in a potential trade, assuming that Peterson does, in fact, try to force his way out.
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, trading Peterson 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.
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What people fail to realize is Peterson has zero leverage here. He signed the largest contract ever given to a RB. He went overboard in disciplining his kid. He was paid not to play last season while he get his life in order. Now he is all sensitive that not all the people in the organization were fully on board with coddling him while his image hit is directly reflected on the organization. Peterson won’t retire. The Vikings won’t release him. The Vikings don’t need the cap space and if Peterson holds out he doesn’t get paid. It’s what I said from day one…Peterson’s only chance of getting out of Minnesota is to agree to a restructured deal, find a team willing to trade a high pick or a package of picks, and convincing Minnesota that it is best for everyone. His dumb ass agent by refusing to negotiate is screwing Peterson’s only chance of getting out of Minnesota.
Hmm I guess the Viking being on the record means nothing to the media then. Short of a blockbuster Peterson is a Viking or retiring pretty simple read the Star Tribune.