Despite the team's assurances that Adrian Peterson would remain on the roster barring a miracle trade prior to the NFL Draft, the Vikings are now dealing with a new round of trade rumors in light of Peterson's announcement that he will not be attending the team's OTAs (which will also cost him a cool $250K in the form of a lost bonus).
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Peterson has made it well known that he wants to leave town, and the team has made it known that they have no interest in trading him. But that does not mean that all hope is lost for Peterson. Peterson will likely hold out indefinitely in an effort to force a trade. He will face fines, but he has made more than enough to pay the penalties.
But holding out may not sway the team, and that could lead Peterson down a more extreme path. If he really is determined to never again take the field for Minnesota, the former MVP could threaten to retire from the NFL altogether. Peterson has made plenty of money, and retiring while he still has his health is far more than most NFLers get.
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Even if he does not plan to actually retire, the mere threat could be enough to force the team to deal Peterson, especially if he holds out into the actual season.
Several years ago, Carson Palmer decided that he was through playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he made the very same threat. The two sides endured a standoff for several weeks, but Palmer held firm in his position (it also helped that he was actually willing to walk away from pro football).
Eventually, the Bengals caved and dealth Palmer to Oakland.
It is a drastic measure, to be sure, but if Peterson sincerely cannot stand the thought of playing for the Vikings again and is willing to walk away from the game he loves, then threatening retirement may be the only option that he has left.
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