Could Adrian Peterson End Up Puling a Barry Sanders?

Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders already have a lot in common. Both will go down as one of the best running backs in NFL history. Both are a part of the 2000 single season yard club as well as the 10,000 career yards club. Neither has seen much success in the post season.

With the way things are looking for Adrian Peterson it appears like there is a chance their careers could end the same way too.

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Sanders career ended early when he decided he was tired of losing with the Detroit Lions. He had a few years left on his contract, but was tired of being in Detroit. They wouldn't let him go or trade him so he retired rather than go through another losing season with the Lions (who were set to change quarterbacks and offensive schemes in the '99 season).

Peterson's story is different, but the end result could be the same. He has made it no secret that he would like to play in his home state of Texas, but the Vikings have said that they will not release him and have no intentions of trading him (Peterson does not become an unrestricted free agent till 2018). 

After the way he says some of the front office treated him during his suspension last season Peterson has said that he does not trust the Vikings front office and has lost faith in them. Tack on the argument his agent and someone from the Vikings front office had at the Combine for all to see and the future for AP in Minnesota does not look good.

So--what can the man do? Basically, as long as he is under contract he has to play for Minnesota or retire. Sanders wanted to return after retiring, but since the Lions still had rights to him he did not. With the Vikings not willing to let him go he does not have many options.

It all may depend on what Jerry Jones is willing to give up for a running back that will turn 30 before next season. 

On one hand, you would think bargaining power would be in his favor. Minnesota is set to lose a player of Peterson's caliber for nothing if he decides not to play rather than play for Minnesota. Getting something rather than nothing is always preferred. At the same time, what should they ask for arguably the best running back since Barry Sanders? Should they temper their expectations since Peterson is getting older?

Since Jones knows Peterson does not want to be in Minnesota does it give him any bargaining power?

Who knows, but it will be an interesting story to follow.

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