Now that Adrian Peterson has been taken off the NFL's exempt list and reinstated, there is a short list of teams he could possibly play for in 2015.
It really should begin and end with the Vikings. As big of a rift Peterson and his agent have appeared to have with Minnesota officials — enough to say it's not the right place for him anymore — it really kind of is.
First, many things need to go right for the Vikings to even be able to trade Peterson. It won't happen unless the trade compensation meets the team's demands, and that of Peterson's for a new contract.
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It's clear Peterson's camp has flipped a tough situation (created by him, no less) into late-career leverage. We get it. He's a 30-year-old running back looking to cash in on his last chance to break the bank.
But when you factor where he fits best as a player and face of a franchise, it's still in Minnesota. As it is, he still has top-end compensation for the position with $13 million owed to him.
The Vikings provide the opportunity to rebuild his name off the field while excelling on it. He played only one game in a Norv Turner offense that's always been a boon for Hall of Fame-caliber workhorse backs — see Emmitt Smith, Frank Gore and LaDainian Tomlinson.
The Vikings also need him back after their running game had a major dropoff without him. They stiil finished 7-9 with steady improvement from rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Peterson's presence would have helped them win a few more games and put them in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
Considering he lost his top inherited player quickly, Mike Zimmer did a great job in his first season as a head coach. As Bridgewater and the defense improve, Peterson would be a nice returning piece to push them into contention.
No wonder Minnesota is holding its ground and making every overture to keep him. It shouldn't have to rework his contract halfway through its seven years just after he got paid in full for missing 15 games.
This is a divorce that doesn't need to happen and doesn't make much sense, other than Peterson getting his way.
Seeing what Peterson could do behind the Cowboys' offensive line as DeMarco Murray's replacement sounds very good for player and team. The Cardinals and Chargers would also provide a mutually beneficial situation on a secondary level. Teams such as the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Titans are the ones who could provide him the most money and freshest start, but none went too hard for Murray in free agency and can't afford to part with high draft picks.
Additionally, there's a strong, deep crop of running backs in the draft. They'd be younger and cheaper alternatives to Peterson.
Those trades for Peterson all sound good, but really aren't.
The Vikings see that. Now it's Peterson's turn to realize the same and focus on taking himself and them to a better place in 2015.
