Adrian Peterson is one of the best players in Minnesota Vikings history, but the veteran running back will be finishing his career elsewhere. Many are surprised by that, but Cris Carter claims he saw it coming.
Carter, who spent 12 seasons with the Vikings, said Saturday that he knew Peterson and the team were headed for a divorce.
“I didn’t think (Peterson) would finish his career with the Vikings,” Carter said, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “If you look at the number of times he’s been injured the last couple of years and then also the price, what’s going to be your price point? Eventually, everybody has an expiration date, including Adrian. I think the Vikings have gone about it the right way. … I’m sure Adrian wanted to play for something significant (in salary).”
The Vikings chose not to pick up Peterson’s $18 million option for 2017, which was expected. They left the door open for Peterson to return, however, and A.P. knew he would have to take a pay cut. He obviously wasn’t willing to go low enough.
While players like Latavius Murray, who is replacing Peterson in Minnesota, and Eddie Lacy have already signed with new teams this offseason, Peterson remains unemployed. He’ll turn 32 this month, but Carter still believes he can be productive.
“I think he has some football left in him,” Carter said. “I think football is a game that’s very, very hard if you don’t practice. Adrian hasn’t practiced a lot the last two years, so I think it’s affected his overall ability to be effective in the game.”
Peterson averaged just 1.9 yards per carry in limited action last season. His resume speaks for itself, but he is going to have to lower his financial expectations if he wants a contending team like this one to sign him.
