The Vikings continue to present a unified front on Adrian Peterson's future, reiterating their intention to keep him in Minnesota.
Peterson, on the other hand, does not appear to be warming up to the organization after expressing his uneasiness about a lost 2014 season.
After meeting at Peterson's home earlier this month, general manager Rick Spielman recently requested a dinner session with the star running back's agent, Ben Dogra, at the upcoming NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix. Dogra declined, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Yahoo's Charles Robinson first reported the news.
Multiple sources close to Peterson have informed Breer that the major sticking point is Kevin Warren's recent promotion from general counsel to COO. Under the impression that Warren worked with the NFL to place him on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission List last September, Peterson still wants out of Minnesota, Breer added.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport cautioned Thursday that we are "only at the beginning of the Adrian Peterson saga" that will play out this offseason.
Robinson has reported that the Cardinals will offer a high draft pick if Peterson becomes available. Franchise icon Larry Fitzgerald deemed the prospect of adding a player of that caliber a "game-changer" for Arizona.
The Vikings know their best player is digging in his heels. With Peterson under contract through 2017, though, they are content to be patient for now, per Breer.
The question is whether they will succeed in enticing Peterson back into the fold or ultimately acknowledge that it's better for all parties if he's traded to the highest bidder.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast makes some bold free agency predictions and discusses Adrian Peterson's future. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
