Adrian Peterson was not traded and will not be traded heading into the 2015 season. As a result, Peterson's agent Ben Dogra wants to get his client a raise after failing to get him a trade deal. Dogra made comments to USA Today that the Minnesota Vikings need to prove their commitment to the running back and sign him to a new deal that will make Peterson a Viking for life. General manager Rick Spielman will not commit to that idea.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, Spielman is not ready to commit to the idea of giving Peterson a new contract considering he is the highest paid running back in the league right now. Peterson is set to earn $12.75 million this upcoming season. He can earn another $250,000 if he shows up to offseason workouts. Spielman made it clear that Peterson is an important part of the team, but contract terms cannot be discussed.
"He is a player under contract," Spielman said, via PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio. "We never discuss with any of our players any financial consequences or anything financial with players' contracts. We never discuss them publicly. That is kept internally, hopefully between the agent, the player, and ourselves, regardless of what the player is. There's nothing I can tell you. All I can tell you at this point he is under contract with the Vikings. We intend to honor his contract in the '15 season as we look forward to having him rejoin our team."
Peterson has yet to appear at practices for the Vikings after maintaining the stance that he wanted a change of scenery entering the 2015. The Pioneer Press were reporting the Vikings wanted a first-round draft pick for the running back, something that went unnoticed by teams who opted to draft young stars like Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon instead.
Minnesota is comfortable entering the season with Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata as the lead running backs. Just because Peterson was not traded does not mean he will be the starter. Although it is hard to see McKinnon getting the nod over Peterson, the younger back told the Pioneer Press that his mindset is he is going to be the starter regardless of who else is on the roster.
"If A.P. comes back, there's no doubt he's going to be the starter," McKinnon said, via TwinCities.com. "But it's not going to change my mind-set or how I approach things or how I work. Whatever they do, my mind-set is to come in and be that guy next year."
Bridgewater made it clear he is excited to get a full season with Peterson and expects the running back to return to practices. If he does, the additions of Mike Wallace to the receiving rotation should give the Vikings a strong offense in 2015.