With Peterson's Status In Question, Vikings Pay A Visit
MINNNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings have made their in-person pitch to Adrian Peterson.
General manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer spent about four hours Wednesday afternoon at Peterson's home north of Houston. Photographers captured Spielman and Zimmer leaving together, dressed in sport coats and blue jeans.
This was the first time meeting they've had with Peterson since the star running back was placed on the exempt list in mid-September following his indictment in a child abuse case involving his 4-year-old son. Peterson is still under contract with the Vikings. They've said repeatedly they'll welcome him back once he's fully reinstated by the NFL, but only if Peterson wants to be there.
Peterson told ESPN last month that he felt "uneasy" with the team. He's due to make at least $12.75 million next season if he stays with Minnesota. Once he's officially reinstated, the Vikings could bring him back at full salary or work out a restructuring of his contract if he wants to stay with Minnesota. If he wants to part ways, the Vikings could either release him or would have to work out a trade with another team.
"I appreciate Rick and Coach Zimmer coming down to see me today," Peterson said in a statement. "We had a great dialogue and they were able to understand where I was coming from and concerns my family and I still have. We respect each other and hopefully the situation can pan out so that everyone involved is content. "
The Vikings have plenty of space under the salary cap to keep Peterson on his current contract. Everyone from co-owner Mark Wilf to Spielman to Zimmer has said they'll welcome Peterson back once he's fully reinstated by the NFL. Only if Peterson wants to be there, of course. If the relationship were determined to be irreparable, the Vikings would probably try to deal him for a draft pick or two.
The Spielman-Zimmer visit to Peterson's home conjured reminders of 2010, when the Vikings sent three players to persuade quarterback Brett Favre to return for another season. Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Ryan Longwell spent an August night at Favre's house in Mississippi before he decided to come back.
That story didn't turn out well, as the Vikings went 6-10 after reaching the NFC championship game the previous season behind a career-best performance by Favre. His consecutive games streak was stopped at 297 that December because of a shoulder injury. His career ended two weeks later with a concussion.
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