Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post tweeted on Tuesday that according to a source the Vikings have no plans to release or trade Adrian Peterson during his suspension.
That's a fine piece of information to get and dispense, but it doesn't really amount to much when considering where Peterson and the Vikings stand long-term.
They couldn't trade him this season even if they wanted to because the NFL trade deadline has passed. Next year? Peterson's suspension is until April 15. There's no reason or incentive for any team to try to trade for Peterson before then, nor is there any reason for the Vikings to trade him while he's still suspended.
Release him? Again, there's really no need to do that now. He's being paid what he's being paid this year (and not being paid for any games for which he is officially suspended and not just on the exempt list).
They can wait until after April 15 to cut them if they want to and still save big on the salary cap. Peterson is set to make eight figures again next season and technically has three years left on his contract, but that money isn't guaranteed. The Vikings can cut him and have it count just $2.4 million against the cap.
Really the only reason to cut him now would be as a PR move. But even that would generate its share of backlash from fans who are in Peterson's corner. While it would surprise us, the Vikings could end up keeping Peterson, we suppose.
And, as always, there is this: the Vikings could change their mind, or the source from the report could be wrong.
