The battle lines are becoming more clear in the continuing saga between Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.
While the Vikings have made it clear over the last two months that they want the 2012 NFL MVP to play for the team in 2015, it is starting to look more like Peterson does not want to remain in Minnesota.
The strongest indication to date comes from Peterson’s agent Ben Dogra, who told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert that he doesn’t believe Peterson would benefit from staying with the Vikings.
Peterson agent Ben Dogra in Phoenix: "I don't think it's in Adrian's best interest to play in Minnesota. Why would it be?" Did not elaborate
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 23, 2015
The comments from Dogra follow a report from over the weekend which said Dogra declined a dinner meeting with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
The news comes as league meetings are taking place in Phoenix this week.
The problem for Peterson is that he is under contract with the Vikings for three more seasons. He is due to make $13 million with the Vikings in 2015, and the team hasn’t changed its stance – the Vikings want Peterson back in 2015.
“Adrian’s a member of our football team,” Spielman told USA Today on Monday. “He is under contract with us, and we are focused on the 2015 season and expect Adrian to be a part of that.”
Those comments were echoed by Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf on Monday.
But if the Vikings are trying to work out a Peterson trade, Pro Football Talk notes the best chance to do that might come this week during the NFL meetings.
