“Virtually Certain” Vikings Won’t Retain Adrian Peterson At 2017 Salary, Still Want Him To Finish Career In MIN

Update:

Citing two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Ian Rapoport reports that the Vikings want Adrian Peterson to retire as a valued member of the organization.

Rapoport adds that it won’t be surprising to see him back in Minnesota next year. Although, they’ll need to reach an agreement on a renegotiated salary.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that it’s “virtually certain” the Vikings won’t retain RB Adrian Peterson at his current salary next year. Beyond that, La Canfora says that Peterson’s future with the Vikings will hinge on their ability to renegotiate his contract.

Peterson stands to make a base salary of $11.75 million for the 2017 season, but he’s also due a $6 million roster bonus in March, which pushes his compensation up to nearly $18 million next year.

La Canfora mentions that the Vikings appear to be transitioning into more of a throwing team under OC Norv Turner and some in the organization reportedly believe a more nimble back like Jerick McKinnon may actually help their struggling run game.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported Saturday evening that Peterson has told people in and around the organization that he believes he can be ready in eight weeks when he’s eligible to be activated off of the injured reserve list.

Even so, Pelissero writes that this timeline is likely optimistic, and there still is at least some doubt whether he’ll be able to return at all this season from the knee surgery he underwent earlier in the week.

Had Peterson elected to trim his meniscus, he could have returned in two or three weeks. However, Peterson made the decision to repair his lateral meniscus, which leaves him with a three- to six-month timetable.

Pelissero writes that Peterson went with the repair procedure because he believes he has several more productive seasons in him and was concerned about issues that could pop up down the line.

The Vikings would have to wait until Week 11 to bring him back.

Peterson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2007. He’s currently in the second year of his three-year, $44 million contract that included $20 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $7.75 million for the 2016 season.

This season, Peterson has rushed for 50 yards on 31 carries (1.6 YPC) to go along with two receptions for seven yards receiving and no touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Peterson as the news the news is available.