Vikings & Adrian Peterson Could Be Headed For A “Showdown” Over His Contract

Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that a “showdown might be looming” between the Vikings and RB Adrian Peterson regarding this contract.

As things stand right now, the Vikings are not allowed to speak with Peterson or have any contact with him until his legal case is resolved.

However, Scoggins’ “gut feeling” remains that Peterson will ultimately balk at the idea restructuring contract and possibly taking a paycut to be back with the Vikings.

Scoggins suggests that Minnesota could ask him to accept a slightly restructured contract that includes a lot of incentives. Although, even then Scoggins isn’t sure that Peterson and him camp would be willing to this much.

Both Peterson and the Vikings have said publicly that they would like him to continue playing out his career in Minnesota.

It”s worth mentioning that Peterson and his lawyers have been trying to get him reinstated for the start of free agency, which would allow him to be traded or test the free agent market if he were to be available. Clearly, Peterson has thought about the prospective of playing elsewhere in 2015.

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).

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

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.