Minnesota Vikings: Why the Idea of Trading Adrian Peterson Is Absurd

There is a polarizing position when it comes to the subject of whether or not the Minnesota Vikings should trade their two-time, First-Team All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson. 

When contributing Bleacher Report writer Sammy Sucu suggested that the Vikings consider trading Peterson, there were plenty of people who thought he was crazy.

I was not one of them.

In my last article I included the possibility of the Vikings putting Peterson on the trading block in a list of possible trade scenarios. The first comment received was "this article was very stupid"—it is the most popular comment with 11 "likes" to its credit.

The Vikings are in need of a huge overhaul, and with so many areas in need of an upgrade, the Vikings will not be able to fill them though the draft alone. Even if they can sign a free agent or two, they will, at best, still be a year or two away from being competitive, even if they have their franchise quarterback in Christian Ponder.

Even so, at this point the Vikings are in no position to trade Peterson.

The timing to trade him would have been before the beginning of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, now the Vikings have painted themselves into a corner, with no way out.

After agreeing to a seven-year, $96 million contract extension last September, the Vikings' salary cap will take an $8 million hit in 2012.

Even if Peterson were healthy, the Vikings would have a difficult time finding another team with sufficient cap space to absorb that much of a hit in one contract, and have anything to offer in return.

Once A.P. tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee in Week 16 against the Redskins, any chance to move him was completely gone.

Even though there are plenty of reports that Peterson's rehab is right on schedule, including one from 100.3 KFAN that he could be ready for opening day, it usually takes eight to 12 months to recover from either of these injuries, and almost two full years for players to be 100 percent. 

That means Peterson, who turns 27 next month, will be 29 before he might be fully recovered from this devastating injury. 

With the average lifespan of an NFL running back's career, few make it past 30. Sure, in order to be considered an elite rusher in the NFL, longevity of career is highly correlated. 

Eight of the top 10 running backs in career yardage played at least 10 years, and to the average age of 33. 

The effect of an injury to the likes of the one suffered by Peterson is sure reduce that some, meaning that by the time he is fully recovered he may only have a couple of effective seasons left.

As I pointed out previously, the best the Vikings could hope for in a trade for their injured star running back would be a second-round pick (provided anyone would be willing to take the risk).

So to all those who pointed out that I was an idiot for suggesting that a second-round pick was ideal for Peterson, you're right—but for the wrong reasons.

It's not because it would be idiotic to trade AP, but to think the Vikings would find any suitors with which to make a deal.