It's been a rough year for Adrian Peterson.

The star running back has played in just one game for the Minnesota Vikings this season. In September, Peterson was indicted for allegations of abusing one of his kids with a switch. Since then, the 29-year-old running back hasn't played a single game this season.

Many fans believe NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is making an example of Peterson after the Ray Rice incident. Whatever the case, Peterson hasn't shown enough remorse this season, failed a drug test and won't be allowed back until the start of next year because he recently lost his appeal.

"I've considered retiring from the NFL. I still made $8 million dollars this year. I've thought about getting back into the real estate (business in Texas) I'm already in. That's something I've been interested in, something I'm involved in. I've thought about getting back into that. I've thought about going after the Olympics -- you only live once. It might be time for me to pursue that, as well. I love playing football, don't get me wrong, but this situation is deeper than that. For me, it's like, 'Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do? Making money off the field anyway, why not continue to pursue that dream and pursue other dreams and hang up the cleats?'" Peterson said.

As Peterson said multiple times, he has dreams that he wants to pursue. One of those dreams has been to play with the Dallas Cowboys.

Normally a team who leads the league in rushing won't be in the market for a running back. But the Cowboys and general manager Jerry Jones face a critical decision this offseason. DeMarco Murray is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this year.

Murray currently leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,606, nearly 400 more than Pittsburgh Steelers Le'Veon Bell, who has the second most rushing yards. Murray also leads the league in carries and rushing touchdowns. Even last season Murray ran for 1,121 yards, so the Cowboys know he's not a fluke or a one hit wonder.

The issue for the Cowboys is salary cap space. Wide receiver Dez Bryant is also scheduled to become a free agent, and the Cowboys can't lose their best receiver. Bryant has been one of the best receivers in the league since being drafted, and the Cowboys also have to continue to keep their powerful offensive line.

Peterson's career with the Vikings looks to be coming to an end. The Vikings aren't a very stable team, and they play in a tough NFC North division with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. If Peterson were to delay his off the field dreams, he would most likely demand a trade to the Cowboys.

In August of this year, it was reported that Peterson talked to Jones on the telephone and told him he would like to play for the Cowboys in the future. Peterson owns a house in Texas, and with Murray becoming a free agent, this could be a perfect fit. Murray will demand top dollar (as he should) on the open market, but Peterson may be willing to play for less.

Peterson was previously on pace to break Emmitt Smith's career rushing record of 18,355 yards, but with an ACL tear in 2011 and just 75 yards this season, that record appears to be safe.

For the Vikings, trading away Peterson could result in enormous benefits. Even with Peterson, the Vikings have failed to make progress, and Super Bowl hopes are very far away in the Twin Cities. The Vikings could get a lot of value in return by trading Peterson away, similar to the way the Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to them in 1989.

We all remember how that played out.

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