MINNEAPOLIS -- Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says the team has had "open dialogue" with embattled running back Adrian Peterson since he was placed back on the NFL commissioner's exempt list last week.
Speaking from the University of Minnesota's pro day Monday morning at the Gophers' Nagurski-Gibson Football Complex, Spielman repeatedly declined to delve into the conversations' nature. But he did say the sides have been in communication and reiterated the club's stance that it hopes to retain its star running back.
"I think it's been very clearly stated that we want Adrian Peterson back," said Spielman, who along with coach Mike Zimmer and Vikings ownership has expressed a desire to keep Peterson. "There's no question about the talent, and he's a unique talent. He's under contract with us next year."
After U.S District Court Judge David Doty overturned an arbitration decision upholding Peterson's suspension until at least April 15, Peterson and his agent Ben Dogra issued statements applauding Doty's decision. But Peterson made no mention of the Vikings in his latest public message, so the sides' relationship remains clouded.
The league appealed Doty's ruling to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, but while this ever-complicated case's latest litigation continues, Minnesota brass -- including Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer -- has no restrictions on contact with Peterson and his camp.
Peterson said previously he feels "uneasy" about returning to the Vikings after the way he was treated during the fallout from child abuse charges brought against him early last season. Three seasons remain on the contract Peterson signed in 2011, and he's due $12.75 million in 2015. The Vikings can either terminate or restructure Peterson's deal, or trade him with the new league year begins March 10.
Currently a $15.4 million cap hit, Peterson would cost the Vikings just $2.4 million in dead money against the cap if they cut him.
Negotiations regarding his future have begun, spurring the internal process along while the courts grapple with one of the NFL's latest legal battles. When asked how the dialogue's been going, though, Spielman remained tight-lipped.
"You can ask me all the Adrian Peterson questions you want," Spielman said. "I can tell you that we're going to have, and we have, open communication with him. We'll just leave all those discussions between us and Adrian."
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