Alexander Shun | @alexpshun
Digital Content Manager | KFAN.com
The man is the greatest running back in Minnesota Vikings history. He's one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL and is surely a future of Hall-of-Famer. Yes Adrian Peterson has been quite a running back not only for the Vikings but for the NFL as a whole. Yet, last season was different.
Peterson suffered a torn meniscus in week two of the season and was out until week 15 when the Vikings back attempted to return and fuel his team to the playoffs. Unfortunately that was not what happened and, after a dismal six carry, 22 yard performance, Peterson wouldn't suit up for Minnesota again. Questions immediately began swirling regarding Peterson's future with the team and whether he had donned the purple and gold for the last time. Tuesday evening, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, speaking on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, provided an answer to those questions. Kind of.
When asked whether he still wanted Peterson to finish his career in Minnesota - a sentiment that Spielman has previously expressed - the Vikings GM gave a very straightforward answer, then seemingly clarified his answer.
"Yes," Spielman quickly replied. "Right now we're assessing everything, we're assessing our whole football team, but Adrian Peterson is under contract with the Minnesota Vikings next year and he's been a valuable part of our organization.
"I think he's a Hall-of-Fame running back," he added. "We're just going through the process but we have to evaluate everything."
Peterson didn't provide Spielman or the Vikings organization much to evaluate last season, playing in just three games and finishing with 37 carries for 72 yards and no touchdowns.
One thing you can rest assured the Vikings will evaluate is Peterson's admittedly ridiculous cap number for the 2017 season.
The soon to be 32-year old back is set to make a six million dollar roster bonus if he is still on the roster as of March 11 and, should he still be a Viking, Peterson will count $18 million against the salary cap; a number that is uncomfortably high.
Spielman was not asked about Peterson's cap hit and did not discuss it so we'll still have to wait and see what Minnesota decides to do with one of their all-time greatest players but with the last league day fast approaching (February 5) surely we'll have more answers regarding Peterson's potential future with Minnesota and what his cost will be soon enough.