Bob CollinsIt seems only a matter of time before the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson part ways.
CBS Sports is reporting Peterson’s agent — Ben Dogra — and a Vikings vice president had to be separated at the NFL combine last week.
According to the sources, Dogra engaged in a heated exchange with Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski during which the agent made it clear that Peterson would never play there again. The incident took place during a time when outside parties were in the vicinity. Finally, former Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik intervened, separating the men and diffusing the escalating tension, sources said.
The Vikings did not respond to requests to comment for this report. Dogra did not respond to numerous messages. Dominik has not commented as well.
In an interview last week, Peterson made it clear his wife doesn’t want to be in Minnesota and he said he’s not comfortable with the idea either, saying he didn’t feel Minnesota and the Minnesota media supported him enough following his indictment for negligent injury to his son.
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora doesn’t see much downside in parting ways.
Trading or cutting Peterson results in no significant cap ramifications, and in fact would save the team $13M in cash and $13M in cap space. They managed to run the ball decently without him last season and had a strong showing overall, finishing 7-9 with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and engendering positive vibes and hopes for the future.
The longer this goes on, and the more uncomfortable it is, the Vikings may have no choice but to part with the player. Peterson’s contract – with a whopping $48M remaining over the next three years – is an anomaly for running backs and one no team may want to take on. Peterson would seemingly be more inclined to take less elsewhere.
The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins are mentioned as possible new homes for Peterson.
