By all accounts, the Minnesota Vikings won't be trading running back Adrian Peterson - unless the offer they get truly blows them out of the water.
It has been reported previously that the compensation in a Peterson trade would range anywhere from a second-round pick to a first-round pick and a second-round pick or two.
Now, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan is reporting, via Walter Football, that it would take "at least a first-round pick and more compensation" for the Vikings to actually part ways with Peterson.
Really, Peterson's case is so singular that the debate over compensation is completely legitimate.
Yes, he's an All Pro player who, when healthy, impacts the game in a way few other players, let alone running backs, can. He's fast, physical and dynamic. He runs with power, he can take it to the house once he's out in the open and he isn't afraid to initiate contact and, in fact, oftentimes seems to relish the violent aspect of his game.
All those positive factors also work against a 30-year-old running back with over 2,000 carries and 10,000 yards to his name in eight NFL seasons, though. There's also his ACL reconstruction to consider - human bodies don't get stronger with time, they age and fade and disintegrate, especially the bodies of football playing humans.
Peterson, per a report from Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, is skipping the Vikings voluntary workouts starting Monday. As Tomasson notes, it's not an abnormal move for Peterson, but in light of his status and stated disinterest in no longer remaining a member of the Vikings franchise, it's still noteworthy.
Despite all the talk of his trade value some NFL pundits, including Peter King of Sports Illustrated, are starting to get the impression that Peterson will remain with the Vikings and play out the remaining three years of his contract, despite believing previously that his time in Minnesota had ended.
"I don't believe Vikings GM Rick Spielman will be pressured into a deal. And I don't believe Peterson will choose to forfeit the weekly paychecks of $765,000 this season. So though it may get ugly, I think there's an increasing chance the Vikings are not going to bend to Peterson by draft weekend unless the offer for him is a high pick or picks."
Again though, there's that caveat.
If another NFL franchise - whether it be the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals or some other surprise team - is willing to pony up enough compensation, Peterson is as good as gone.
Until that unlikely scenario occurs, it seems Peterson is set to collect his $13 million 2015 salary from the Minnesota Vikings.
