Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman made official on Thursday what many speculated for weeks, if not longer: Adrian Peterson will not return to the team.
The Vikings took the first step towards moving on from Peterson when they declined the running back’s option for 2017, which would have paid him $18 million. That made Peterson a free agent. Of course, the possibility of the Vikings bringing back AD on a reduced contract existed, but that essentially flew out the window when the team signed Latavius Murray.
Peterson, who turns 32 next week, now has a chance to play for a new NFL team for the first time in his career.
His 10-year career with the Vikings comes to an end following shortened seasons in two of the past three years. He had a suspension for his child abuse case in 2014 and a knee injury in 2016. Peterson was named to 7 Pro Bowls, four All-Pro teams, and won Rookie of the Year and league MVP during his Vikings career.
His list of suitors seems somewhat short mostly due to reported unrealistic expectations.
