Image courtesy of Vikings.com
According to a Thursday report by ESPN NFL writer Ben Goessling, Adrian Peterson remains undecided about his future with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson interviewed with ESPN late Thursday afternoon, speaking for the first time since appearing in Minneapolis on February 6th for a hearing in federal court — the NFL Player’s Association sued the league, arguing for Peterson’s immediate reinstatement.
Currently, Peterson cannot be reinstated until April 15th, when his status on the commissioner’s exempt list is lifted. Peterson told Goessling that he is “still uneasy” about rejoining the team in 2015, citing the Vikings’ joint efforts with the NFL to put him on that very list in September. According to Peterson, the decision was an “ambush” that left him unsure of his future in Minnesota.
The 2012 NFL MVP played one game for the Vikings last season, and is under contract for 2015 with a base salary of $12.75 million. In recent interviews, general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer have expressed whole-heartedly their desire to see Peterson back with the Vikings next season.
Spielman and the organization will have a tough decision to make in the coming months, but Peterson understands the nature of the NFL:
[quote_box_center]”It’s hard to say (what my future will be). I love Minnesota. There are people that have had my back, and supported me. Last year, with the things that took place, had a lot of fans that supported me through everything. For the fans, I would definitely love to come back, but then again, it’s a business, when it comes down to business, you can’t get caught up in the loyalty to fans or to a team or anything like that. You know how it is in the NFL. I learned a lot through this process. I’m still uneasy, to be honest with you. I’m still uneasy about a lot of things that took place within the organization. Of course those guys ultimately supported me, and I’m grateful for that. But ultimately, with me being able to be on the inside and see how cards were dealt, how things were worded, this, that and the other, it’s about protecting your brand, your organization, what you have built. In the (grand) scheme of things, not one person counts over that. I get that.”[/quote_box_center]
The front office has made it clear that they want Peterson back in 2015. The question remains as to whether Peterson believes that. “I know there are a lot of people in the organization who want me back,” he said. “But then again, I know the ones who don’t. It’s a difficult transition, and it’s not just about me.”
Peterson went on to tell ESPN that he is also considering the well-being of his family, which goes beyond endorsements or paychecks. “I don’t know if that would be the case,” he said, commenting on a potential pay cut to stay in Minnesota. “But you know, as far as being happy, as far as my family being happy, it’s bigger than that.”
The 29-year-old running back is in the midst of an almost year-long hiatus from football, which has given him time to rest and reevaluate his current situation:
[quote_center]”Just having the time to sit back and clear my mind, this has really changed me mentally,” he said. “My approach to things is going to be on a different level. With the things I’ve been through the last year, things definitely have more meaning. When I’m able to apply that when I’m working out and getting ready for something, it’s always a great thing. It’s always great when I’m able to put in great quality work. I’m ready to shock the world.”[/quote_center]
Yesterday, fans were convinced that Peterson was going to step on the field a Minnesota Viking in 2015. Today, they’re left wondering what the star running back will do — return to the Vikings, or join another team and truly “shock the world”?
Read Ben Goessling’s entire interview with Adrian Peterson at ESPN.com, and be sure to visit Vikings Territory for the latest Minnesota Vikings news and updates.
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I hope the only way AD 'Shocks the world' as by breaking Dickersons' rushing record on the way to a Super Bowl victory, in a Purple and Gold uniform.
Just noticed the 'edit' function is gone.
Well there you have it folks. It's all our fault for putting this hardened player with a weak ego in this position. I thought, for a second, that he took responsibility for what he did and 'owned up to it'. My mistake. I have to wonder how 'uneasy' his son is, if and when he sees his father a couple times per year.
Also, why haven't we heard of, or why hasn't there been a ruling in the Feb 6th court date? It's as if it never happened. Every other story has a different tone. Just get it over with, whatever it is.
He should be worth a 1st round pick to someone on the verge. Chargers, Colts, Dallas, Arizona all have shown interest. Let's get him out of here. We draft DeVante Parker and Melvin Gordon and forget all about it. I was a draft defense first guy but if AD is gone we need to juice this offense with these kids. Take care of LG, CB, SS in FA with extra 15 million on the books. Pick up LB later in draft...SKOL!!!!!!
It is almost impossible to trade AD this year. The only way the Vikings could trade him is if he is reinstated very soon. No teams will have the cap room to trade for AD after April 15th.
Not sure about that... There are quite a few teams with A LOT of cap room. Doubt all the money gets spent.
Ya but Jacksonville isn't going to trade for AD. The teams that will want to trade for AD won't have cap room. It has been discussed numerous times on DN.
If AD wants gone so bad then he'll restructure to make himself tradeable. Or trade then restructure with new team. It's not unheard of.
There is almost 75% of the league that has enough cap to handle his contract as is today. That's without him restructuring.
Vikings can't trade AD until he is reinstated. Most teams cap money will be gone by April 15th, if AD is reinstated then. Free agency will be almost over by then.
let's not be naive here. coming out and saying he feels 'uneasy' about a lack of loyalty from the FO doesn't cost AD much. he won't interact with the suits on a daily basis, and the players and coaches won't mind him saying this, they'd still welcome him back just the same
what saying this now might do for him is it might buy him an extra million or more as he and his agent jockey for negotiating position if the vikings ask him to take a pay cut. jared allen did something similar before his last year when he said he wouldn't take a pay cut, and the vikes paid him in full. this will be AD's last great contract and i'm sure he wants to maximize it as much as possible
Some great points, Cal
He's an idiot. Get something for him hopefully from an AFC team and get a new homerun threat to go with Asiata and Mckinnon and we're better off. Unrepentent moron, listening to that stupid woman he's with.
Before AP's transgression people, mainly writers and media personalities, were already putting the idea out there that AD's restructuring was imperative, or had to happen for him to stay. I really do not understand why that had(s) to be such an issue with people, even more than the team itself. We haven't been paying a top dollar QB salary since Mr. Dicpic left, we've been paying cheap rookie contracts. Any cap trouble will come from dishing out top dollar OL contracts to unproven players. As mad as I am at AD, I'm just as mad at people for using this incident as a bargaining tool that shifts the idea that AP MUST restructure. Contract jockeying came up at a very inappropraite time from both sides and may have fractured the relationship permanently.
I don't know if you're just trying to piss me off or what. You use AD and AP in the same paragraph. That is so wrong in so many ways. It's AD!!!!
Seriously tho, I'd like to see them offer AD 8 mil with incentives. He really is being paid too much.
I had to think a bit to figure out who you were talking about with 'Dicpic' took a minute or so but I got it.
Funny how that little episode faded away, eh?
alaskaotan huh? You here in Alaska?
And by the way Austin, you're claim to being the West coast biggest Viking fan is bogus! I have claimed that title for many, many years. Probably before you were even born. As a matter of fact, since I live in the State that is the furthest West AND the furthest East, I claim the title of not only the biggest West coast fan but also the biggest EAST coast fan.
Better change that Bio or I'm coming down there. . .