It has been an offseason filled with twists and turns in the Minnesota Vikings’ relationship with their all-world running back Adrian Peterson.
One day a report said Peterson wanted to be traded, the next there was a report that Minnesota wanted him to stay. Through all of the twists and turns, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman held true to his word and didn’t trade Peterson, before the NFL Draft.
So now that the draft is over and it seems Peterson will likely be returning to Minnesota, the question becomes how will AP handle that?
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Tuesday that he would keep his recent conversations with Peterson private, but added he doesn’t anticipate AP causing any trouble with team harmony.
“There’s a lot of ifs and nuts and candies and buts there,” said Zimmer. “I don’t think there will be any issues, no.”
Peterson has not participated in the team’s offseason strength and conditioning program. The Star Tribune notes he isn’t required to show up until next month for the team’s mandatory minicamp. If Peterson fails to show up, the Vikings could fine him.
Before the draft, Peterson said it would be nice to play for the Dallas Cowboys, but he remains under contract with the Vikings. Team management maintained throughout the whole process that they were not interested in dealing the running back and no deal with Dallas or any other team was agreed upon.
Following the draft, Peterson’s agent, Ben Dogra, admitted that a trade wasn’t going to happen. But Dogra suggested it was time for the Vikings to make a commitment to AP by adding some guaranteed money to the 30-year-old running back’s contract.
Spielman wouldn’t discuss specifics of Peterson’s contract with the media. AP is due to make $45 million over the final three years of his contract but none of the money is guaranteed.
