Adrian Peterson to the Cowboys could happen ... for some reason

Adrian Peterson was asked to name potential suitors last month if he couldn’t finish his career with the Vikings. He mentioned the Texans, Bucs, and Giants.

But it appears there is a fourth team in play.

That team is the Dallas Cowboys. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there’s “a belief in league circles” that the Cowboys could try to land the veteran running back.

Peterson has been linked to the Cowboys before. In 2014, Jerry Jones told ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. that he received a call from Peterson about playing for Dallas whenever he was finished in Minnesota. In 2015, it was reported that Peterson wanted out of Minnesota and that the Cowboys would be benefactors of his departure.

Peterson will be turning 32 in March. He’s been a seven-time Pro Bowler and was the NFL MVP in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards. The Vikings have a team option with Peterson for 2017 that has an $11.75 million base salary and a $6 million roster bonus. The Vikings have until March 9 to decide whether or not to keep him. They could also restructure the current deal.

Aside from interest, the fit in Dallas is an entirely different question. The team already has Ezekiel Elliott, who looked like arguably the best running back in the NFL last season, leading the league in rushing with 1,631 yards. It would make for an awfully crowded backfield with two prominent running backs needing carries.

Yet, perhaps having Peterson around would help increase Elliott’s longevity. It could also add some time to Peterson’s career, as he would be playing behind the NFL’s best offensive line. If Dallas is able to get him for a discount, you know Jerry Jones won’t say no.

Regardless, Peterson said just last month that he believes he’ll be back in Minnesota. “I see myself finishing off in purple. It is a business at the end of the day, so with that, things could end up differently,” Peterson said on ESPN’s First Take in January. “Hopefully we can work things out.”