The Minnesota Vikings have said time and again that they have every intention of bringing running back Adrian Peterson back next year.
Peterson, prior to his suspension by the NFL handed down in the wake of his indictment for a felony charge of injury to a child, had been far and away the most talented, bruising back in the league.
But he's also sporting a salary cap hit and nearing an age when players at his position - even elite players - tend to fall off. Could this combination of factors lead the Vikings to actually part ways with the besieged super star?
"The ancillary issues are well-known here, and the Vikings have said - at least publicly - that they'd like to have Peterson back with them when he's fully reinstated," writes Doug Farrer of Sports Illustrated. "That said, a running back who will turn 30 in March, with a $15.4 million cap hit in 2015? That player is an automatic candidate for release, even with a clean off-field sheet. Several other teams would most certainly take a shot at Peterson if he's available, and a clean break might be best for all involved."
That last point is maybe the most important.
As much as the Vikings would benefit from his talent on the field, there may be lingering issues and frustrations off it.
Peterson revealed after his suspension, in an interview with Tom Pelissero of USA Today, that while he knows he's been supported throughout the process by Vikings coaches and players, he feels there are others within the organization that aren't on his side, leading him to wonder if maybe finishing his career in another NFL destination would be best for all parties.
As Farrar notes, any number of teams would have interest in his services - the Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones are rumored to view Peterson as a potential replacement for DeMarco Murray should Murray depart in free agency.
What it really all boils down to for Peterson and the Vikings though, is whether or not he's willing to restructure his deal - a $15 million cap hit is a lot, even for a player of Peterson's stature.
And while the time away this year may have been good for his physical well-being, there's every possibility that Peterson's already on the downside of his illustrious career.
