The Minnesota Vikings continue to make efforts to mend fences with All-World running back Adrian Peterson, and Peterson continues to indicate that he'd be much happier elsewhere starting next season.
The latest report, from Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, reveals that Peterson is willing to maintain communication with the Vikings but has his sights firmly set on a new NFL home - five potential new NFL homes to be exact.
"While Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson continues to have an open dialogue with the franchise about his future, he has pondered potential trade destinations and would consider a contract restructure if a deal becomes necessary, sources have told Yahoo Sports."
To that end, Peterson - currently on the commissioner's exempt list - has reportedly identified five teams to which he would prefer to be traded.
"While the Dallas Cowboys have been reported to be a Peterson favorite destination, the running back prefers five teams: the Arizona Cardinals, the Indianapolis Colts, the Cowboys, the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," writes Robinson.
The Colts and Cardinals both lack an impact running back of Peterson's stature and would seem the most desperate to potentially acquire his services. Trent Richardson has been a tremendous disappointment in Indianapolis and Andre Ellington, while a talented and capable runner for Arizona, doesn't provide the same type of brutal, punishing style that a workhorse like Peterson provides. He's better suited to a complementary role.
The Cowboys could lose last season's NFL leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, once the NFL free agency period opens in March and mutual interest reportedly exists between Peterson, who grew up in Texas, and Dallas.
The Chargers are set to lose Ryan Mathews to free agency and Branden Oliver cooled considerably after bursting onto the scene last season and the Buccaneers can no longer depend on the often-injured Doug Martin.
Nelson Peterson, Adrian's father, said recently that the running back hasn't requested a trade from the Vikings, but is also entertaining all options and approaching all "business decisions" based on what's best for Peterson and his family.
"All the options are open," Nelson Peterson said, per Robinson. "There's no doors closed on anything at this time. ... Adrian will come back from this with a vengeance. He plays hard anyway, but he's got an extra chip on his shoulder. He will bounce back from this."
The Vikings, of course, can simply refuse to trade the still-suspended Peterson and instead pay him his $12.75 million base salary for next year if they want.
If Peterson is that hell-bent on leaving Minnesota though, it may make the most sense for all parties for the Vikings to move the future Hall of Famer for top value.
