Adrian Peterson to become free agent for the 2017 NFL season
Running back Adrian Peterson will become a free agent for the 2017 National Football League (NFL) season after the Minnesota Vikings declined his option for an $18 million contract for the upcoming campaign.
Minnesota's decision to place the legendary 31-year-old running back on the free agency does not necessarily mean that he will leave the team, but Peterson will have to be willing to accept a considerable decrease in his salary to remain with the institution that brought him to the NFL in 2007.
"Adrian is an important part of the organization. We will continue discussions with his representatives and leave the doors open to determine what is best for both parties," said Rich Spielman, general manager of the Vikings, in an official statement.
Peterson only played the first three games of the 2016 season due to a knee injury that kept him off the field for the rest of the year, so his physical condition will be something to consider for any franchise interested in acquiring his services.
Coming from the University of Oklahoma, the running back stated that he has had 10 wonderful seasons with the Vikings and that they can still reach an agreement. However, he acknowledged that he will explore the options presented by other franchises in the free agency.
In the history of the NFL, only 46 running backs over the age of 30 have been able to surpass a thousand rushing yards in a season, so teams in search of Peterson will have to take into account that the star athlete's best years could already be part of the past.