The Adrian Peterson saga lasted far longer than it needed to, but now that it has a resolution, everyone is focused on the all-important question of when Peterson will return to the field. Of course, in addition to the timeline for his return, there is also the small matter of whether he will still be with the Vikings when he comes back.
At least one member of the organization hopes he will. According to ESPN, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer wants to see Peterson back with Minnesota and will support the running back. "Adrian was always great with me," said Zimmer.
"I think he's a good person. I think obviously he's a great running back and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order -- that's the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back -- then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made."
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Peterson is currently suspended indefinitely, but he is eligible for reinstatement on April 15, and many think he will be reinstated as long as he continues to adhere to the guidelines for reinstatement that the NFL dictated to him.
"Our hands are partly tied with the NFL and the time frame that they give us. But also it's partly up to Adrian and make sure he's doing what he has to do in order to get back reinstated off the suspension," said Zimmer. "So those are all factors that we have to factor in, but we would love to know ASAP just so that we can start going because, a guy like him, your football team and your offense can be different (if) you have him and you don't have him. It's how you want to build the team around him, at least in my opinion, anyway.
"I haven't talked to (GM) Rick (Spielman) about a lot of these questions that you're asking yet because we just finished the season, but we'll sit down and we'll visit about all of this stuff."
Peterson thinks he can return at the same level of player that he has been previously, although his exorbitant salary may make him a cap casualty all the same. If the Vikings do release him, a number of teams would likely be interested, including the Dallas Cowboys, who may elect to part ways with DeMarco Murray instead of signing him to a long-term deal.
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