Report: Adrian Peterson Told Jerry Jones That He Would Like To Play For Cowboys

Update:

Adam Schefter reports that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may have violated NFL tampering rules by speaking to Vikings RB Adrian Peterson about playing for his team.

• According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, it’s his understanding that Peterson was on phone with someone who passed the phone to Jones.

It’s hard to say if this would be enough to prevent Jones from tampering charges from the league.

The Vikings and Peterson have released statements regarding ESPN’s report.

Vikings:

“We are focused on the 2014 season, and as we have consistently communicated, Adrian is an integral part of the Vikings organization.“

Adrian’s Comment

“This was a casual conversation between NFL colleagues in which I never indicated I wanted to leave the Vikings. I have always said I understand the NFL is a business but that I would love to retire as a Viking.”

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ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” is reporting that Vikings RB Adrian Peterson told Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones back in June that he would like to play for the Cowboys once his deal is up with Minnesota.

“Well, I understand, Adrian,” Jones told Peterson during the call. “I’d like that, too … Well, I love your story. I love your daddy’s story. I’ve always respected what you’ve been about. I’ve always been a fan of yours.”

“Well, we’ll see what we can do, if we can make that happen,” Jones told Peterson. “Hmm hmm … I’d like that, too … Well, we’re talking pig Latin here, but let’s see if we can do that … We’re talking pig Latin here, but let’s see what we can do about that. OK, Adrian, thanks.”

Peterson previously mentioned that he has considered the idea of returning to Texas and playing for one of their NFL teams.

“I’ll be a liar if I sit here and say that it’s something that hasn’t crossed my mind before,” Peterson said during an interview with Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo on ESPN Radio back in December of last year. “But I’ve also said to myself, ‘Wow, it’ll be so amazing to be one of those players who stays with one team his entire career.’ ”

“Being from Texas I’ve always wondered if it’d be cool to play in Dallas or play back home in Houston,” Peterson said. “But that’s not something I’ve really been thinking about this year.”

Peterson, 29, is entering the fifth year of his seven-year, $96 million contract that includes $36 million guaranteed. He has base salaries of $12.75 million (2015), $14.75 million (2016) and $15.75 million (2017) coming his way.

Some have mentioned that the Vikings should consider trading Peterson at some point in the near future given that he still has value and the Vikings are still working to rebuild their team. Of course, trading Peterson isn’t all that easy when you consider his remaining salary and the cap constraints of the NFL teams.