Could Adrian Peterson be the Dallas Cowboys’ RB in 2015?

One of the biggest offseason questions in the NFL could be where Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson end up?

ESPN analyst Adam Schefter said in a recent article “By my count, at least a half-dozen teams have done some background work on Peterson in the event he becomes available, per league sources.

One of the possible landing places could very well be with the Dallas Cowboys, who could be without a running back if DeMarco Murray leaves in free agency.

During NFL awards night, Murray captured the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award. Murray was the NFL’s leading-rusher with 1,845 yards in 2014, setting a franchise record for rushing yards in a season that was held by Emmitt Smith with 1,773 yards since 1995.

Murray was also able to set an NFL record this season with eight straight 100-yard rushing games to start the season. These accolades and the great season from Murray will land him a big contract, but that may be with a team other than the Cowboys, who haven’t indicated that they must re-sign Murray. The Cowboys seem to be getting smarter about where to spend their money after years of limited cap space from handing out massive contracts.

If the Cowboys are looking for a running back to possibly replace Murray, Peterson could be the best option available if he is let go by the Vikings.

On the field, Peterson is regarded as one of the best running back in the NFL. He ran for 2,097 yards in 2012 and owns a career average a 5.0 yards per carry. He has shown with the Vikings that he can carry an offense by himself. A heavy workload with the Vikings has led to some durability issues for Peterson. But when he is on the field he is one of the best.

The major issue with Peterson, and the reason why he didn’t play almost at all in 2014, and the reason he could be looking for a team in 2015 is because of his off-the-field issues. In November of 2014, Peterson pleaded no-contest to charges against him for misdemeanor reckless assault of his four-year old son. These charges led to the suspension of Peterson on November 18th without pay by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Peterson is still currently suspended by the NFL, and will have to wait until April 15th to try to be reinstated. In December, Peterson attempted to appeal his suspension but it was upheld, keeping him out for the remainder of the year.

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones likes the big names and he likes to make splashes, and there has always been talk about a possibility of Peterson winding up in Dallas near where he played his high school football.

The circumstances of bringing Peterson aboard would be very different now than in years past, as where he plays next season he will bring a lot of baggage with him, but for the Cowboys that could be a chance they take if they don’t re-sign Murray.

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