Adrian Peterson isn't planning on attending the organized team activities (OTAs) of the Minnesota Vikings when they begin on Tuesday, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, which can only mean one thing: He still wants to be traded.
Adrian Peterson still wants to be traded
Adrian Peterson is skipping OTAs to send a message to the Vikings that he still wants to be traded.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Typically, a disgruntled player who skips OTAs or training camp is looking for a new contract, but with $12.75 million headed his way in 2015 and even more in 2016 and 2017, Peterson’s finances are well in order. Instead, Peterson is trying to make it clear to the team that he wants out of Minnesota still, according to a report from Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports.
In fact, Robinson reports that the possibility of more guaranteed money doesn’t entice Peterson, who has a “personal issue” with the team stemming from its handling of his suspension during the 2014 season. Between a lack of support during the media firestorm that came with child abuse accusations and a lack of effort to get Peterson back on the field, the running back has reportedly lost trust in the Vikings.
Just how committed is Peterson to forcing a trade? He’s willing to forgo a $250,000 bonus in his contract that comes if he participates in at least 90 percent of OTAs and minicamps.
Still, it’s unlikely that Peterson is able to force the team into a trade now that the 2015 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror. The team set a high price for compensation in a trade and with a full season between now and the 2016 NFL Draft, the price tag is only higher.
Couple the rising price tag with a handful of risks associated with trading for a running back on the wrong side of 30, and the most likely scenario is that Peterson is stuck with the Vikings for the time being.
Peterson is the all-time leader in every major rushing statistic in Vikings franchise history, with 10,190 rushing yards and 86 touchdowns.
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