Minnesota Vikings NFL Trade Rumors: Vikings Have Yet to Discuss Contract With Adrian Peterson
Running back Adrian Peterson has had a tremendous career with the Minnesota Vikings. He would love to end his career with the team that drafted him seventh overall in the 2007 draft, but his status with the Vikings remains uncertain this close to the start of the 2017 league year and free agency period.
In an interview with ESPN, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman admitted that he has yet to talk with Peterson about his contract, but he said they would address the situation before the start of free agency.
"The one thing I will say is, if we don't exercise that option, we will always keep the door open on all of our players. But in my mind, regardless if Adrian is here or not here next year — because of whatever happens — he will always be a Minnesota Viking. If he's fortunate enough to go in the Hall of Fame, and fortunate enough to go in the [Vikings] Ring of Honor, in my mind, he's a Minnesota Viking," Spielman said during the interview with ESPN.
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Well, looks like there's no place for sentimentality in football. The Vikings can pick up Peterson's $18 million option for the 2017 season, but it seems they are having a hard time deciding what to do with him. Should they release him or should they restructure his contract? The Vikings will have to come up with a decision soon, though, because they will have to pay him a six-million-dollar bonus if he's still on their roster by the third day of the league year (March 11).
It's pretty clear that he's already past his prime, but he still has a lot in the tank. If he becomes a free agent, Peterson told ESPN he's interested the New York Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans.
Peterson is the long-time face of the franchise, but he may be heading for the exit. Is this the end of his run in Minnesota?
