Adrian Peterson will hit free agency after Vikings decline his option

The New York Daily News reported that Peterson would be interested in joining the Giants if the Vikings cut him, and what a fit it could be. The Vikings, according to a report, don’t share this assessment, as the team believes the downward trend can be blamed on injuries and insufficient offensive line play.

Peterson will depart Minnesota as the Vikings’ all-time leading rusher with 11,747 yards. Though one might not be connected to the other, a big-picture look at his career arc clearly shows a decrease in availability over time. Peterson sent the following statement to ESPN’s Josina Anderson on his status moving forward. Peterson managed just 1.9 yards per carry on 37 rushes in 2016, but is sure to draw plenty of interest on the free agent market.

It’s possible Peterson already knew he wouldn’t have his option exercised, so the idea of him starting to think about where he would take his talents isn’t out of the question. He turns 32 in March, and in 47 seasons since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, there have only been 10 instances of a runner that old producing a 1,000-yard season. He missed nearly all of 2014 due to suspension, only to bounce back with a 1485 yards, 11 touchdowns effort the next year. New England. After parting ways with the Cincinnati Bengals, Corey Dillon went to New England, played for 3 more seasons, won a Super Bowl and retired.

Peterson to the Giants, the Bucs, the Raiders and, most of all, back to Minnesota under the terms of a more affordable salary remain more likely. The Falcons have the best and youngest running back duo in the league.

The obsession continued over his career, as Cardinals fans would point to whatever Peterson was doing on the field whenever Levi Brown gave up a sack and especially lamented the missed opportunity when Brown was traded for pennies on the dollar.

For the first time in his illustrious National Football League career, one of the game’s best all-time running backs may not be playing for the Minnesota Vikings. It is going to be a bit of a bidding war, but considering his age and past injuries, no team will break the bank for him.