The impasse between running back Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings has taken a more ominous turn. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman requested a dinner meeting with Peterson's agent at the forthcoming owners meetings in Phoenix but was rejected, a source told Yahoo Sports. This comes after Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, told several media outlets over the past two days that the team said it would not cut the running back, who is slated to make $13 million in 2015 ($12.75 million base salary and a $250,000 workout bonus).

Dogra did not return messages seeking comment.

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The refusal could be a shot at the Vikings, signaling a turn to a more hard-line dialogue with the team. But it could also be a mesage to ownership, as the most direct path to more guaranteed money or a trade would be bypassing the front office and convincing the Wilfs that one of those outcomes could make Peterson happy. As it stands, owners Mark and Zygi Wilf have already signaled a willingness to be a part of the process, having met with Peterson in New Jersey earlier this month.

Thus far, the Vikings' refusal to cut Peterson was met with no surprise, as team officials have said repeatedly that they wanted him back for another season. But Peterson's camp making that information public raised a few interested eyebrows across the league. Chiefly, it illustrates to potential trade partners that Minnesota is willing to pay Peterson $13 million in 2015, a reality that would aid the running back in working out a new deal following any trade. If traded, Peterson would seek to restructure or redo his contract in hopes of turning it into a three-year deal guaranteeing $25 million, multiple sources have said.

As it stands, Peterson is still not happy in Minnesota, multiple sources have said, despite meetings with Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer, and ownership. An NFL source told Yahoo Sports the Arizona Cardinals would entertain trading a second-round pick for the running back and would also consider working out a new contract.

Whether that happens is entirely up to the Vikings, who may be looking for more than a second-round pick. At this moment, the bottom line remains: Minnesota could tell Peterson that he will not be traded and is expected to show up for offseason activities and training camp. If that happens, Peterson's lone leverage would be holding out, an unlikely scenario for a 30-year old running back who is staring at a $13 million single-season payday. But even in that scenario, the Vikings would still have to be comfortable retaining a centerpiece player who may never be happy remaining with the franchise.