Before and after running back Adrian Peterson was cleared to make a full return to the NFL for the 2015 season, the Vikings have insisted that they want him back for the 2015 season.
Peterson’s been less enthusiastic about returning to the only team he’s played for as a professional, but the signs continue to point toward his rerun to Minnesota for another season. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Vikings continue to say “publicly and privately” that Peterson will be playing for them or no one in 2015. As a result it would take “maybe too much” in a trade offer to tempt them to change their minds.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports also reports that the price tag for a Peterson trade and the Vikings’ own desires will make it tough to get a deal done. Per Robinson, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman “feet are in cement” when it comes to holding onto the running back and that a “sledgehammer” of an offer is the only way to change that.
Robinson leaves open the possibility that the Cardinals may change their mind about dealing their first-round pick if they want and miss out on Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, something Rapaport mentions as well, but points out that getting a deal of this type done in a short time frame on Thursday night might not work out.
All of that points to no deal getting done, unless it is a financial one that involves making Peterson happier about playing out his contract with the Vikings.