NFL Rumors: Latest News Involving Adrian Peterson and Other Offseason Buzz

The saga surrounding the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson doesn't appear to be coming to an end anytime soon. On Thursday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that U.S. District Judge David S. Doty overturned Peterson's suspension. Later that day, Rapoport reported that the NFL appealed the decision, and that would land Peterson back on commissioner Roger Goodell's exempt list until the matter of the appeal has been hashed out.

Per Ron Clements of The Sporting News, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has stated the team wants Peterson back, but per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, the all-time great isn't sure he wants to return to Minnesota.

The way the team and the city reacted to Peterson's child-abuse case and charges have made the 28-year-old uncomfortable. There's some indication that he may want a fresh start.

Per Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, the Vikings' options are wide open. They could release, trade or keep Peterson. The team could also renegotiate his contract with a higher salary to make him happy. If Peterson is released, he'd undoubtedly have a line of running back-needy teams ready to pounce on him.

The same concept would apply in the event the Vikings tried to trade him. Per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Peterson's father, Nelson, says he's heard rumors that the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts were interested in his son if he becomes available.

According to Mark Lane of Fox Sports, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says DeMarco Murray is going to test free agency. That makes a player like Peterson especially attractive to a team in win-now mode like the Cowboys. The Colts haven't had a dependable running back since Edgerrin James, and the Cardinals are also devoid of a playmaker in the offensive backfield.

There's no doubt that Peterson could make an instant impact with any of those three teams. Perhaps the best place for him to land would be with the Cowboys. The team's offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL.

There's no telling what a revitalized and motivated Peterson could accomplish behind that front. If Peterson lands with the Cowboys, Dallas instantly becomes the clear favorites to win the NFC East and possibly more.

Stevie Johnson Looking at a Decrease

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Rapoport also reported that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Stevie Johnson may have to take a pay cut to remain with the team. 

The 28-year-old veteran had 35 catches for 435 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. That's a far cry from the three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons Johnson tallied from 2010-2012. 

After minimal production in 2014, Johnson may not find a better offer if the Niners release him. If that happens, he may not have any other choice but to return to San Francisco.

Eagles All-in for Marcus Mariota

Ross Franklin/Associated Press

It's no secret former Oregon Ducks head coach and current Philadelphia Eagles head man Chip Kelly are very interested in taking 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft. Marc Eckel of NJ.com says the Eagles are willing to pull off a series of deals to be in position to draft Mariota.

Mariota hails from Oregon and has expert knowledge of Kelly's spread offense. The Eagles have the 20th pick in the first round, and Mariota isn't likely to last past the sixth overall selection, where the New York Jets are selecting.

In a separate report, Eckel quotes a source who suggests Kelly is willing to dangle All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to facilitate the move up the draft board. The source told Eckel:

"It's going to take a lot to get up and get (Mariota). (Kelly) thinks McCoy can help get him to the top (of the draft). Either that, or he'll trade him somewhere else for picks and then use those picks (to trade up in the draft)."

If the Tennessee Titans show interest in taking Mariota, the Eagles would have a very tough time getting in position to draft the Heisman winner. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at No. 1 and seem to be locked into Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston.

That would mean the Eagles would have to deal directly with the Titans. The price to move up could be huge. We'll see how Kelly's quest to climb shakes out, but it should make for an interesting first hour of the draft.