The Vikings found their answer at the running back position on Thursday when they signed Latavius Murray in free agency.
With Murray expected to be the starter next season, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman announced that the team will be moving on from Adrian Peterson.
"With us signing (Latavius) Murray, Adrian will move on elsewhere." – GM Rick Spielman
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 16, 2017
Murray wore No. 28 with the Oakland Raiders but he will not be wearing the same number next season in Minnesota out of respect to Peterson.
Instead, Murray will wear No. 25 to honor his best friend, Jonathan Diaz who passed away last November.
“That was one of his favorite numbers, so I’ll do that to remember him,” Murray told Vikings.com.
According to Syracuse.com, Diaz was shot twice in the chest outside a bar on Thanksgiving weekend last November. Murray had been friends with Diaz since kindergarten.
After he passed, Diaz’s mother said Murray couldn’t get the words out when he called the family to give his condolences.
Murray, who is 27 years old, rushed for 1,854 yards over the last two seasons with the Raiders.
