Vikings Still Have No Plans To Release RB Adrian Peterson

Tom Pelissero reports that Vikings GM Rick Spielman told Adrian Peterson’s agent, Ben Dogra, Wednesday night that they won’t release his client.

• Pelissero points 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 have been a number of trade rumors regarding Peterson. Although, many of them have been downplayed in recent days.

For what it’s worth, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports previously reported that Peterson prefers to be traded to five teams: the Cardinals, Colts, Cowboys, Chargers and Buccaneers.

However, the Cowboys seem like an unlikely option now that they’ve signed DE Greg Hardy. 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 is unwilling to return to Minnesota and tries 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.