The Minnesota Vikings are expected to part ways with star running back Adrian Peterson this offseason due his age (will be 32 next season) and $18 million cap hit. If he does leave Minnesota, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Dallas Cowboys would be very interested in signing him, pairing him in the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott.
When Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was asked last month to name teams he would consider joining to finish his career if he leaves Minnesota, he mentioned the Texans, Buccaneers and Giants.
But there is a belief in league circles that the Dallas Cowboys could also be in play for the potential free agent, according to league sources.
One league source said that if the Vikings and Peterson could not agree on a restructured contract, the Cowboys could be an option.
Peterson, a Palestine, TX native, previously expressed interest in joining the Cowboys in 2014, and team owner Jerry Jones reciprocated that interest.
However, Peterson's contract may be a hurdle the Cowboys aren't able to overcome. Minnesota is going to try to trade Peterson first to try to get something in return for him, and Peterson would have to agree to restructure his deal.
If the Vikings can't trade him, they are expected to simply decline his option, making him a free agent. That would give Dallas the best chance to sign him, but with Elliott already in tow, they may be unwilling to get into a bidding war with other teams that have a need at the position.
A knee injury limited Peterson to just three games in 2016, in which he rushed for just 72 yards on 37 carries. In 2015, he led the league with 1,485 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
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