Being forced to use their third- and fourth-string quarterback down the stretch in 2014 spelled doom for the Arizona Cardinals.
They might not have that problem in 2015 -- without picking up an elite quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings deny trade demands associated with Adrian Peterson
The Cardinals' place in the Adrian Peterson sweepstakes just went up a couple of notches late Friday when reports emerged out of Minnesota that the running back's agent refused to take a meeting with the Vikings.
Yahoo! Sports' Chris Robinson was first to report the news:
#NFL source: #Vikings GM Rick Spielman requested dinner meeting w/ Adrian Peterson's agent at owner's meetings. It was rejected. Not good.— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 20, 2015
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At issue, according to NFL.com was the Vikings' promotion of Kevin Warren from general counsel to chief operating officer. Peterson believes that Warren worked with the NFL last season to put Peterson on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission List last September, for which Peterson felt betrayed.
The Vikings insist they are not releasing the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro ball-carrier who turned 30 on Saturday. So it appears that he is trying to manufacture a trade out of the Twin Cities.
Peterson is under contract with the Vikings through 2017 and NFL Media Insider Ian Rappaport says the Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars are potential trading partners.
While the Jaguars would receive instant credibility if they could find a way to add Peterson, the Cardinals seemingly would be the team that would benefit most without mortgaging their future.
Peterson's presence would be a tremendous asset to quarterback Carson Palmer, whom coach Bruce Arians said is three to four weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL in week 10 of the 2014 season.
The running back would attract eight- and nine-man defensive fronts, which would give Palmer some potentially favorable matchups at the wide receiver position with aging veteran Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.
According to NFL.com, the Cardinals would be willing to part with a "high" draft choice for a player of Peterson's caliber.
"Obviously, he's an MVP-caliber player," Fitzgerald told NFL.com. "Everybody knows that. Any team he ends up with -- or if he stays with the Vikings -- is going to have a great back. If he was to come play here, it would obviously mean a tremendous amount for our ball club."
Do you think Adrian Peterson will join the Arizona Cardinals in 2015? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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