Adrian Peterson's agent has changed his tone, and that's telling

If there was any question in some people's minds whether Adrian Peterson would be a Viking again, it is now unanimous that the running back will return to the team. His agent, Ben Dogra, made that clear in an interview with USA Today.

The owners of the team, the general manager, the coach and everybody connected with the Vikings have insisted from Day 1 after Peterson's suspension that the great running back was under contract and, despite the legal problems he was involved in, he was going to be a Viking because his NFL rights were owned by the club.

Now you have the final chapter in the debate with Dogra, who has been quoted more than once saying that Peterson would not be a Viking, coming out in USA Today praising the Vikings organization and saying that Peterson would wear the purple again.

Dogra has been pushing for a trade, but he said in the interview last week he never expected a team to offer a first-round draftpick, because Peterson is 30 and has 2,054 career carries. And the Vikings have said repeatedly their intent is for Peterson to play for them in 2015.

Dogra struck a very conciliatory chord in USA Today about the future of Peterson, quoted as saying that: "One of the things I appreciate with the Vikings is their resolve to say 'we're not trading him.' That tells me they value him not only as a football player but what he has done for the organization. I actually, as an agent, not only appreciate it — I accept it. But actions speak louder than words. If that's going to happen, and you want to keep him, then show him a commitment to make him retire as a Viking. And I haven't had that solution."

Dogra has certainly had a change of heart.

During much of the offseason, Dogra had told several media outlets that he wanted Peterson out of Minnesota and even got into arguments with Vikings officials in February.

Dogra added to USA Today: "My biggest regret would be if I set Adrian in any different light, in a negative manner. My job as a representative is to be his advocate. And I understand that may mean myself taking the bullets and facing scrutiny. I signed up for that job.

"Adrian didn't hire me to fight for me. He hired me to fight for him. And it's not my job to be everybody's best friend. It's my job to do what's right by him, and it's as simple as that."

Dogra, who is now with Relativity Sports, was asked if he believes Peterson will attend the team's first OTA on May 26.

"That's Adrian's decision," Dogra said. "He's a grown man. He's got strong principles. He's endured a lot. It's when he feels that true commitment. Adrian's a very passionate person, very transparent. It's when he feels it's right."

When asked to comment on the USA Today story, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said: "I'm not getting into who called or not called [about a trade for Peterson]. Adrian Peterson is under contract as a Minnesota Viking. End of story."

The bulk of the local media had him traded, but I believed what the Wilfs told me and I stuck with that theory even though I was being told I was wrong by most of my peers.

Aside from the Peterson interview, USA Today reported that Dogra also has his own problems, saying that Dogra was fired for cause by Creative Artists Agency in November, and the NFL Players Association wants him to appear and answer for a variety of allegations, including that public confrontation with Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski in February.

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