Adrian Peterson Already Has His Eyes on Three Teams as His Next Destination

Though Adrian Peterson would like to stay in Minnesota, he will likely need to take a pay cut—and if he doesn’t, the Vikings may very well cut him.

Brace Hemmelgarn
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Brace Hemmelgarn

Poor Minnesota Vikings fans. Hopes were high heading into this year, then they lost both Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater.

The Vikings started 5-0, but finished their season 8-8 and missed the playoffs, while their rivals, the Packers, somehow turned things around after a 4-6 start and are now in the NFC Championship.

Adding insult to injury, Peterson’s days with the Vikings—the only NFL team he has played for—may be numbered. Though AP would like to stay in Minnesota, he will likely need to take a pay cut. If he doesn’t, the Vikings may very well cut him.

Peterson, who will soon turn 32, is currently playing on a 3-year, $42 million deal. If things don’t work out with Minnesota, Peterson is interested in the Houston Texans, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The Texans and Bucs seem unlikely because of their current backfield situations; the Texans just picked up Lamar Miller, a young star, and the Bucs have the “Muscle Hamster” Doug Martin. With that being said, the Bucs are a fringe playoff contender looking for that slight extra boost, and Peterson may be willing to take a cut to go to one of his desired destinations.

Though the Giants have Paul Perkins and Rashad Jennings, their backfield is certainly less established, so New York seems feasible.

Peterson is due a $6 million roster bonus March 11, and will likely either re-sign with the Vikings or be released before then, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

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