Cowboys 2018 free agency: The “Adrian Peterson to Dallas” story gets a revival

Way back in the year 2014, there was a whole thing about Adrian Peterson and his wanting to play in Dallas. There was a phone call between Peterson and Jerry Jones that led to a tampering investigation.

Adrian Peterson told Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a June telephone call he would like to play for the Cowboys at the end of his tenure with the Vikings, according to an “Outside the Lines” report.

”Well, I understand, Adrian,” Jones told Peterson during the call. “I’d like that, too ... Well, I love your story. I love your daddy’s story. I’ve always respected what you’ve been about. I’ve always been a fan of yours.”

The Cowboys called the Vikings to smooth things over and the NFL eventually ruled that there was no tampering. In the years that followed, there was the ever-present rumor that Peterson would one day end up in Dallas.

That never happened even after Peterson left Minnesota in 2017 and ended up signing with the Saints. The Saints then traded him to the Cardinals for a conditional sixth-round pick. Now, Peterson is once again a free agent. Thought you’d heard the last of a “Peterson to Dallas” scenario? Think again. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell takes a look at possible landing spots for 15 name free agents, and has this one as his last one.

Adrian Peterson, running back

... it’s clear that we’re coming close to the end of Peterson’s career.

If this is it, perhaps now is the time for a long-rumored dalliance to come into existence. The Cowboys are left with just Rod Smith behind Elliott, and while Smith has been a reasonable backup, it seems plausible that Peterson could still be an upgrade as a 100-carry back while playing a couple of series per game. At the very least, he would sell plenty of jerseys for a team that isn’t exactly teeming with skill-position weapons behind Elliott.

New home: Dallas Cowboys

I respect Barnwell, but doesn’t this feel like click-bait (of which I guess I’m guilty of contributing to)? The Cowboys like Smith, and he’s not a bad replacement plan, they also drafted Bo Scarbrough and just-signed Darius Jackson. Sure, Peterson is a “name” with Hall of Fame credentials, but last year should serve as a red flag that he might be done. The Cowboys are making an effort to get younger and not to add “progress-stoppers” to the roster. Nothing about this makes much sense.

Barnwell also speculates on homes for former Cowboys. Going through a variety of teams as possible landing spots for Dez Bryant, he settles on Green Bay. This acutely makes a ton of sense. If anybody can hope to revive Bryant’s career and make him a meaningful receiver again, it would be Aaron Rodgers. It has to be said, though, that Green Bay doesn’t appear interested from rumors that circulated when Jason Witten brought this up a few weeks ago.

Barnwell also places a couple of former Cowboys running backs. DeMarco Murray lands in Los Angeles to back up Todd Gurley. Alfred Morris reunites with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.

We ask you BTB, would you add Adrian Peterson to the Cowboys? Obviously it would have to be a cheap deal, but is it worth it?