Page 1 of 23

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay cut

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:48 pm
by Mothman
http://www.twincities.com/2017/01/02/vi ... o-pay-cut/
Veteran running back Adrian Peterson said Monday he wants to return to the Vikings and seemed open to the possibility of taking a pay cut.

Peterson, 31, is under contract for a non-guaranteed $18 million next season, and it is highly unlikely the Vikings are willing to pay that amount to keep him. He could be released in March or return on a renegotiated deal.

“I would love to finish my career here with the Minnesota Vikings,” Peterson said the day after the Vikings concluded a disappointing 8-8 season. “So that’s where my mind is.”
Peterson said he has no contract number in mind, but he understands the reality of the NFL salary cap.

“There’s the reality that there comes a point in time where, yeah, the best thing to do is take a pay cut, and it might be in the best interest of the team, as well,” Peterson said.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:50 pm
by Texas Vike
He says that, but when the figure is, say, 1/10th of what it was I'm guessing he'll change his tune.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:58 pm
by Mothman
Texas Vike wrote:He says that, but when the figure is, say, 1/10th of what it was I'm guessing he'll change his tune.
We'll see. I wouldn't be so certain and if they make an offer, I think they'll probably offer him more than that (although I realize you were just throwing out a number).
Peterson also was asked if he wanted to test free agency for the first time in his career.

I just saw this too:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1839 ... ke-pay-cut

"I think when that time comes, I'll cross that bridge," he said. "I've been taking in a lot here the past couple weeks -- just the fans here. Man, I've been here 10 years. We have a great team. We have some great things going on here in Minnesota. I would love to continue to be a part of that. That's how I'm thinking. It's not, 'Oh, free agency, I get to test this.' I'm not just going to write myself off here in Minnesota.

"I'd be lying to you to say that I haven't thought about, 'Well, what if we're not able to work things out?' So that crossed my mind. When thoughts just even cross your mind, you kind of sit back and think about all the times that you had here and your teammates and things like that."
To me, he sounds somewhat sentimental about being a Viking and since he's spent his entire career in Minnesota, that's probably genuine sentiment.

His agent is likely to give him an idea of what he can make on the open market and I imagine he'll respond accordingly. He sounds to me like a guy who knows the writing is on the wall. He likely understands his days of $10 million+ a year deals are over so it becomes a question of where does he want to play and what he's willing to accept.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:04 pm
by IrishViking
Honestly I'd be fine if they paid him 4 million next year.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:04 pm
by Texas Vike
Mothman wrote: We'll see. I wouldn't be so certain and if they make an offer, I think they'll probably offer him more than that (although I realize you were just throwing out a number).
To me, he sounds somewhat sentimental about being a Viking and since he's spent his entire career in Minnesota, that's probably genuine sentiment.

His agent is likely to give him an idea of what he can make on the open market and I imagine he'll respond accordingly. He sounds to me like a guy who knows the writing is on the wall. He likely understands his days of $10 million+ a year deals are over so it becomes a question of where does he want to play and what he's willing to accept.
Maybe so, but I'd be surprised. He's always been one to be a bit out of touch with reality. That worked well for him in his career--allowed him to do things that they said could not be done. If he still has unrealistic notions of his worth and his abilities, I can see us low balling him and AD getting offended. I hope I'm wrong. But what I hope for most of all is that we don't overpay him.

Souhan isn't our favorite, but his article on the matter is pretty solid:
With Doug Martin ineffective and suspended, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might want a power runner to complement quarterback Jameis Winston and receiver Mike Evans. The Green Bay Packers could pull a reverse Favre and adopt an aging rival.

Even if a winning team signs him, Peterson has entered a period of unwelcomed reality.

He’ll have to take a major pay cut. He may have to accept a reduced role. He may never again be the player he was when he rushed for 1,485 yards in 2015, much less the player who rushed for 2,097 in 2012.

Adrian Peterson will most likely leave with hard feelings and without ceremony. Often, that’s the Minnesota way.
More at link: http://www.startribune.com/like-many-be ... 409206925/

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:19 pm
by mansquatch
Part of him leaving will what he could expect to get paid from someone else. I'm guessing it might not be that high, so a significant paycut is in order. Also, how many suitors will be able to promise an opportunity for a playoff run? This roster can assuming it can stay healthy in 2017.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:22 pm
by Mothman
Texas Vike wrote:Maybe so, but I'd be surprised. He's always been one to be a bit out of touch with reality. That worked well for him in his career--allowed him to do things that they said could not be done. If he still has unrealistic notions of his worth and his abilities, I can see us low balling him and AD getting offended. I hope I'm wrong. But what I hope for most of all is that we don't overpay him.
I think we just see him differently. He's certainly expressed some pie-in-the-sky ambitions over the years and he obviously a lives a life far different than most but when it comes to the realities of the game and his career, I'm not convinced he's so out of touch. Sure, like many star players he has a big ego but there was a lot of talk about him being unrealistic before he got his last contract and it was much more substantial than most expected. He also delivered on it last year by leading the league in rushing and helping the Vikes reach the postseason. I have no idea how this season would have gone if he hadn't suffered the meniscus tear but i don't think it's unrealistic for him to think he still has some good football left in him.
Souhan isn't our favorite, but his article on the matter is pretty solid: More at link: http://www.startribune.com/like-many-be ... 409206925/
He'll have to take a pay cut if he wants to play anywhere in the NFL and it's possible he'd have to accept a reduced role but I'm just not convinced he'd be opposed to either. He might not ever be the player he was in 2012 or even 2015 again but I don't think it necessarily follows that he'll leave the Vikings with hard feelings or leave them at all. Maybe I'm a sucker but I believe him when he says he'd like to remain a Viking and I have little doubt that he comprehends his situation. A 32 year old RB coming off a missed season isn't going to get paid like the 2012 MVP by anybody. Peterson sounds like he knows that.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:29 pm
by IrishViking
Honestly, AP has always struck me as the kind of guy who WILL step up and be the work horse, but doesn't NEED to be.

He is happy rushing 40 times for 200 yards in a game and 3 TDS

He is happy rushing 20 times for 100 yards in a game and 1-2 TDS

I think all AP wants now is to play for a contender and keep making decent progress towards the all time record. I feel like he probably is going to play until that progress dwindles or he misses another season.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:40 pm
by halfgiz
I think some of it will have to do with what coaching changes we make this coming season. Will Peterson fit the new coaches theme? I would imagine what Peterson would want will be to steep for a 2 down running back.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 3:55 pm
by Laserman
Hope AD Saved a lot of his money. The money train might be over soon

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:35 pm
by Jordysghost
If it can be done, you should do it.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:03 pm
by Holzberg
I think 5mil with a 3mil bonus if he doesnt get injured and is available 90+% of the time.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:21 pm
by akvikingsfan
I would be okay with bringing AD back on a 3 year contract worth about $10-12 million. AD has aged and isn't the player he once was, but he still has value for the team. I think a lot of those short goal to go situations could have turned into touchdowns had AD been in the backfield instead of Matt. Also, it seems he has a big year after missing a year, so I'd rather have him racking up yards for the Vikings than for someone else.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:26 pm
by Texas Vike
halfgiz wrote:I think some of it will have to do with what coaching changes we make this coming season. Will Peterson fit the new coaches theme? I would imagine what Peterson would want will be to steep for a 2 down running back.

Agreed.

Do we want to be handicapped by his limitations? Do we want to pay a premium to be limited in what we can do? I don't think the payoff (big explosive runs) justifies the expenses anymore. By expenses, I mean both money and the way he limits our offense's options.

Re: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:18 pm
by Husker Vike
It will be interesting to see what AP would take to re- sign, current contract is $14 mil/yr ,with $4,3 guaranteed. Next highest RB is Le Sean McCoy at $8 mil/yr,$3,6 guaranteed. Ezekiel Elliott $6.3 all guaranteed was a bargain for Dallas, and even bigger value is LeVeon Bell who is in final year of rookie deal,$1 mil with $570 K guaranteed,he will get paid big time. No wonder the Patriots are always competitive,they signed LeGarrette Blount to a one year deal worth $1 mil//yr with only $100k guaranteed, he is also a free agent who stands to make more in 2017 as he ran for 18 TD's .I think a good comparison would be Matt Forte who signed a 3 year deal with the Jets last year for$4mil/yr with $3mil/yr guaranteed, he is the same age as AP.