Adrian Peterson, Dallas Cowboys have mutual interest

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson could see a back-up role if he joins the Dallas Cowboys.

And there is a long history mutual interest. The Minnesota Vikings declined Peterson's $18 million option for 2017 Tuesday. He is set to hit free agency on March 9.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport followed the news by reporting that a source told him that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "would pursue him [Peterson] to pair with Ezekiel Elliott."

Several NFL general managers told CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora earlier this month that they wondered if Peterson would be willing to play on a one-year, $5 million deal with incentives.

"It only takes one team to do something stupid, but I can't see there being much out there for him once the Vikings let him go," an NFL contract negotiator told La Canfora.

Peterson has mentioned the Cowboys as a team of interest several times over the last few seasons.

Before telling NFL Network this month that he would like to retire as a Viking, Peterson said he would be interested in playing for the Cowboys during a radio interview in 2015.

"It would be nice," Peterson told Dallas' WFAA-TV in April 2015 while attending a Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks game. "I've got family here, my dad's here. But I'm under contract, so we'll see."

Brandon George also reported that Peterson has "always been high on Jerry Jones" and the Cowboys. But he also said Peterson "doesn't need to create a running back" dilemma after "recovering" from a quarterback dilemma in Minnesota.

Peterson, 31, was born in Palestine, Texas, where he also starred in high school before jumping to the Oklahoma Sooners. Palestine is two hours from AT&T Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay Packers are also among several football franchise who could seek Peterson's superstar services. The veteran has also said he would be interested in the Houston Texans and New York Giants.