Adrian Peterson has returned to the Minnesota Vikings for OTA workouts and he looked impressive while working out with the team and head coach Mike Zimmer said that he is ready to start again ahead of Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata and that gives the team depth heading into training camp.
Peterson later said to reporters that he felt it was the right time to come back and that he was ready to work. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Peterson "showed no rust" in coming back and that he will be ready to take over as the number one back on the team. Before Peterson came back, the Vikings and Peterson were heading for a bit of a showdown this offseason, as the running back could have been fined if he held out from mandatory minicamp.
All this came as he previously took to Twitter to rant about his contract and after head coach Mike Zimmer said he expected Peterson to return to the team. Peterson only played in one game last year before being placed on the exempt list and that is part of the reason why he was disgruntled this offseason. Peterson was mentioned in numerous trade reports this offseason and Charles Robinson at Yahoo Sports writes that Peterson could still hold out in training camp, but that is unlikely. Zimmer said to reporters previously that he had an "indication" of when Peterson would show up, but that was before Peterson went public about his contract issues. Clearly all that is behind them now.
Pro Football Talk reported that Peterson was looking to get a new contract or part of his deal guaranteed, as he is set to make $12.75 million in 2015 and nearly $15 million the next season. Peterson wrote about wanting the Vikings to "honor" his contract on Twitter and earlier in the offseason his agent Ben Dogra said the team should show the running back a "commitment" with a deal. The 2016 salary could be the point of contention for Peterson and the two sides could figure something out before training camp.
The Vikings have started offseason workouts already with OTAs and with mandatory minicamp coming up, Peterson would have had to show up or he will be fined. Ian Rapoport on Twitter reported from the NFL Network that Peterson anted some or all of his 2016 salary guaranteed. The Vikings have been consistent about wanting Peterson back for this season and they have leverage, as he is signed for three years and over $40 million.
Peterson is one of the best backs in NFL history, but he is 30 years old and he will not find a better money situation than he has now with the Vikings. NFL contracts are not set in stone, so Peterson does have some argument there for his future salary, but right now it appears that the Vikings are his best option for playing in 2015. When Peterson was battling his exempt status and suspension he said that he considered retirement and that has come up again with the contract dispute, but that is likely all posturing for leverage.
