The word "saga" is typically reserved for something significant or, at the very least, teeming with drama. That's why saga is a somewhat appropriate label for the situation between running back Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson missed all but one game last season after being placed on the NFL's exempt list following a child abuse charge. Peterson eventually pleaded no contest to a lower misdemeanor, but he felts as if the Vikings had not done enough to support him during that time and made his intentions to leave town very public through his agent, Ben Dogra. Minnesota refused to deal the former MVP and now Dogra is asking for more guaranteed money to smooth things over.
Like I said, teeming with drama.
Former Vikings running back Herschel Walker recently said that the situation could become a distraction for the other players in Minnesota's locker room, but head coach Mike Zimmer was quick to dismiss that notion.
"I don't think there will be any issues, no," Zimmer said on Wednesday."
Peterson is under contract for three years, with a $12.75 million base salary in 2015 and a cap hit north of $15 million. He is the highest paid running back in the NFL. But Zimmer declined to comment when asked if Peterson will be present when organized team activities begin later this month.
"I'm going to keep those conversations between us," Zimmer said.
Peterson's contract calls for a $250,000 workout bonus if he participates in 90 percent of the OTAs, which take place from May 26-28, June 2-4 and June 8-11. Mandatory minicamp begins on June 16.
After missing nearly all of last season, the Vikings appear confident that Peterson will not holdout for a trade and risk missing more game time. In the meantime, Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon combined for over 1,100 yards in Peterson's absence last season.
