Adrian Peterson to become unrestricted free agent

The Giants have some questions at running back after releasing Rashad Jennings in February.

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that they are not exercising the 2017 option on Adrian Peterson’s contract. Nelson Peterson said the Vikings have not proposed any contract terms to the running back, who made $12 million in 2016, and he declined to say what type of deal he would need to stay in Minnesota. They both are shoe-in Hall of Famers. However, he’s simply not the player he used to be due to his injuries. Almost 95 percent of his career carries have come with the quarterback under center, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Contrast that with what the Colts already have on their team in Frank Gore.

He won an MVP in 2012 and ranks 16th all time with 11,747 rushing yards. If Hightower does leave New England, he will be the second star linebacker to change teams since the beginning of last season. So Gore has played in 104 straight games and started 100 straight games. Are the Chiefs a real player for Peterson?

Peterson averaged less than two yards per carry last season as the Vikings had the worst rushing offense in the NFL. And if the Raiders can add Peterson to this offense even at 32, they would be unstoppable. The more likely approach will be to sign a cost-effective veteran like Blount and/or select a back in the draft.

League GMs will have a three-layered analysis: Do we have a running back talent gap? Eddie Lacy and Latavius Murray are eligible for unrestricted free agency. “You have to remember Jerick has only played that position for three years so I think he’s going to continue to grow and develop”. With a backfield consisting of Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, Lance Dunbar, and Darren McFadden, bringing in another running back seems like a waste of time and money. So Tampa Bay could stick with their existing options, or look to the draft or free agency to find a new starting running back.