Adrian Peterson Sees Giants As Possible Free Agent Destination
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is one hell of a running back.
In 10 NFL seasons, he’s rushed for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time First-team All-Pro, two-time Second-team All-Pro. He also won the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year awards in 2012.
Peterson has spent his entire career with the Vikings. He appeared on ESPN’s First Take Thursday, acknowledging he wants to finish his career in Minnesota.
AROUND COVER32
Confidence Rankings: Which of the final four teams do we trust the most?
Draft:: Five players to watch from the East/West Shrine Game
Playoff Pickems:: Who will be playing on Super Bowl Sunday?
Giants Offseason Signings: Giants Sign Khaled Holmes To Reserves/Future Contract
Salary Cap: Giants Expect To Have More Than $30 Milion In Salary Cap Space
Giants Offense: Internal Complaints Of Giants Offense Being “Too Vanilla”
Scouting: Giants Begin Scouting With Trip To College Football Showcase
“I see myself in purple. A lot has to take place,” Peterson said. “I see myself finishing in purple. It is a business at the end of the day, so with that, things could end up differently…hopefully we can work things out.”
Peterson also threw out the names of teams he wouldn’t mind playing for if he were to hit the free agent market.
“There’s a couple of teams I’ve thought about,” he said. “New York (Giants) was one of them that popped up, Tampa Bay (Buccaneers), lots of different teams. Houston (Texans) would be a good spot. I’ll stop right there…I’m just throwing random names out there.”
Peterson also said he wants to play for a team with a good defense, a good offensive scheme, and a great coaching staff. Giants fans immediately took notice that he mentioned Big Blue first among his preferred free agent destinations.
The Vikings have a team option on Peterson for next season for an $11.75 million salary and a $6 million roster bonus. The Vikings have until the beginning of the league year (Mar. 9) to decide on Peterson’s option. They would owe him the $6 million roster bonus if he is on the team by the third day of the league year.
Peterson tore his meniscus Week 2 in the Vikings’ first-ever game at US Bank Stadium against the Green Bay Packers. He had surgery and placed injured reserve before being activated for the Vikings’ Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Peterson did not play in the Vikings’ final two regular season games, missing 13 in total. He was limited to 72 yards on 36 carries.
General manager Jerry Reese should work on his pitch to Peterson now in the event the Vikings cannot restructure his deal. A running back of Peterson’s caliber would make the Giants contenders almost immediately. The Giants would need to solidify their offensive line. One of his concerns with the Vikings are improvements up front.
Giants fans remember what All Day is capable of as an opponent. He ran for 104 yards (including a 39-yard run) and a touchdown on 22 attempts in a 49-17 blowout of the Giants in Week 16 of the 2015 season. Peterson, who turns 32 on Mar. 21, believes his time as one of the NFL’s elite running backs is not over yet.
“I have a mindset to be my best,” he said. “Going into next season, I’ll be ready to roll.”
The post Adrian Peterson Sees Giants As Possible Free Agent Destination appeared first on Cover32.
