National Football League

Questions and answers regarding what's next for Adrian Peterson

Published Nov. 4, 2014 1:50 p.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has reportedly reached a plea bargain on a child-abuse charge, but with his legal situation close to a resolution his NFL future is far less clear.

The big questions that must be answered:

What NFL discipline will Peterson face once the sentence is finalized?

As first reported by ProFootballTalk.com, Peterson will plead no contest to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge in Texas rather than felony child-abuse stemming from excessive physical disciplining of his 4-year-old son. The sentence reportedly will include probation and community service but no jail time.

The NFL could subsequently attempt to punish Peterson under the new domestic violence policy implemented in August following commissioner Roger Goodell’s admittedly botched discipline of Baltimore running back Ray Rice. The policy calls for a six-game suspension for a first-time offender.

However, Peterson and the NFL Players Association can argue that he already has served a de facto eight-game suspension — albeit with pay — after being benched by the Vikings in Week 2 and then placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while his legal situation played out. If the NFL levied a suspension, Peterson and the NFLPA could try to get clearance from an arbitrator to allow him to play until there is a ruling upon his appeal.

If reinstated by the NFL, what will the Vikings do with Peterson for the rest of this season?

There is no question that Peterson’s return would make Minnesota (4-5) a better team and potentially help lift the Vikings into the playoffs. But putting him in a purple-and-white No. 28 jersey once again isn’t quite that simple.

After initially announcing intentions for Peterson to return in Week 3, the Vikings reversed course following heavy public and media criticism. Allowing him back will likely bring similar scrutiny to the organization. It could even result in the departure of more sponsors — like when Radisson Hotels pulled its Vikings deal following the initial reinstatement plans. Peterson also lost sponsors in the wake of his arrest.

Others aspects of Peterson’s off-field life — he reportedly fathered six children by six different women — have drawn attention because of this scandal. This has further hurt his public image. A Minneapolis Star-Tribune report claimed financial irregularities by Peterson’s foundation, which went on hiatus following the child-abuse charge. The newspaper also reported that Peterson used charity funds to pay for a hotel room that housed a 2011 orgy, which is an allegation he has vehemently denied.

Peterson still has his supporters among the Vikings fan base. Some are forgiving. Some believe Peterson was within his parenting right to physically discipline what he described as a misbehaving child. And some are ambivalent as long as Peterson, just two years removed from a 2,000-yard rushing season, helps the Vikings win.

Peterson also was well-liked inside the Vikings organization. Peterson embraced his role as the franchise’s most popular player by dedicating ample time to team charity endeavors and cooperating with the media. His standing inside team headquarters prior to the abuse charge was a major reason the Vikings initially wanted to let him return to action.

What is Peterson’s long-term future in Minnesota?

Even before the child-abuse charge, there was a good possibility Peterson was spending his final season in Minnesota. Though he is arguably the league’s best rusher, Peterson will turn 30 in March. By NFL standards, that is widely considered the age in which a running back’s performance usually begins to plummet — especially one who has endured as much wear and tear as Peterson.

Salary would be a consideration as well. Peterson is set to earn $12.8 million next season. That is a bloated figure at Peterson’s position in a pass-heavy league, even for such an accomplished player who may still very well have plenty of great football left in his chiseled 6-foot-1, 217-pound frame. The Vikings would take a minor $2.4 million salary cap hit if Peterson were released during the 2015 offseason. If he were cut this season, Minnesota would take a $2.7 million hit this year along with the $2.4 million for 2015. Peterson is under contract through 2017.

If the Vikings release him, where will Peterson sign?

This gets tricky. Any Super Bowl contender needing immediate running back help that is willing to handle the media circus that follows Peterson should be considered a possibility. Peterson, though, would almost certainly be signing a short-term deal so he could test free agency in the 2015 offseason.

A Texas native, Peterson is most commonly linked to Dallas because of comments from an ESPN magazine article that he allegedly made to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stating his desire to play for the franchise. Dallas, though, already features the NFL’s leading rusher in DeMarco Murray. A better chance of Peterson joining the Cowboys would likely come in 2015 if Murray signs elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.