Peterson played just one game in 2014, spending most of the year on the exempt list or suspended in the wake of hitting his son with a wooden switch. A six-time Pro Bowler in his eight NFL seasons and the league MVP in 2012, Peterson is under contract with the Vikings through the 2017 season and is scheduled to make nearly $13 million in 2015. His hefty deal could make him difficult to trade despite speculation he could be headed to the Dallas Cowboys or Arizona Cardinals.
However the Vikings hold nearly all the leverage, and Peterson's only recourse could be a holdout that would force him to forfeit money. The team is scheduled to begin its offseason program next week, and Vikings brass as well as coach Mike Zimmer have repeatedly indicated they want their best player back.
