Adrian Peterson admitted late last year that he has daydreamed about playing for the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans before he retires. Peterson grew up a Cowboys fan outside of Dallas, so it makes sense that he would think about representing his home state. A recent report makes it seem like Peterson is more serious about that than we initially thought.
In a lengthy profile of Jerry Jones for ESPN’s Outside The Lines, Don Van Natta Jr. wrote about a phone call that the Cowboys owner shared with Peterson back in June. Van Natta was with Jones in his private suite at the time a phone was handed to Jerry that had Peterson on the other line.
“Well, I understand, Adrian,” Van Natta heard Jones tell Peterson. “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.”
It quickly became clear what the two were discussing.
“Well, we’ll see what we can do, if we can make that happen,” Jones said. “Hmm hmm … I’d like that, too … Well, we’re talking pig Latin here, but let’s see if we can do that … We’re talking pig Latin here, but let’s see what we can do about that. OK, Adrian, thanks.”
Jones confirmed that Peterson told him he wants to play for the Cowboys, which may not have been a great idea. While Jerruh didn’t think the call should be considering tampering, NFL rules state that a club that is contacted by a player who is under contract with another team “must immediately report such contact to the owner or operating head of the club which holds the player’s rights” or face potentially “severe” penalties.
Jones said he did not contact the Vikings about the call.
Peterson is 29 and in the fourth year of a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Vikings. It would only be human nature for him to be tired of losing in Minnesota, though the Cowboys have become the poster team for mediocrity in recent years. Plus, they have a promising young back in DeMarco Murray.
But if Peterson wants to force his way out of Minnesota, there’s no doubt he can find a way. And if that day comes, expect the first call his agents make to be to Jerruh.
