Adrian Peterson told ESPN’s Josina Anderson Tuesday morning that he plans to sign with the New Orleans Saints on a two-year deal that is effectively a one-year deal plus a one-year option. The story, which appears on ESPN.com, and other media websites confirming the news. Also, NFL Insider Adam Schefter sent a tweet.
“Saints gave Adrian Peterson a two-year deal. They would like him to play two years and he wants to play the two years,” Schefter wrote.
The move means Peterson, who has played his entire career in Minnesota prior to this year, will have a new home. Additionally, he will help a New Orleans team that has hit the skids the past few seasons. The Saints will simply ask Peterson to do what he normally does – tote the football and score touchdowns. However, he will also share the backfield with Mark Ingram, who is coming off his best season in the NFL.
Peterson told Anderson that the deal is worth a base total value of $7 million. Here are the terms Peterson says he is agreeing to at this point: The 2017 compensation is $3.5 million (all guaranteed at signing), including a $1 million guaranteed salary in 2017 and a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Adrian Peterson was the seventh pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. Since then he has rushed for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns. As a result, Peterson ranks 16th on the NFL’s all-time list. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl player (2007–2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) and a four-time First-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015).
“I am excited to be joining the New Orleans Saints,” Peterson told Anderson. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity. Most importantly, I chose this team because it just felt right within my spirit. Additionally, my wife and family added their confirmation with the same feelings.
“On offense, it goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant as a unit. They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well. I could tell from talking to head coach Sean Payton over the last two weeks that he did his due diligence in evaluating how I could contribute. I also did a lot of homework on the defense as well.”
The decision to play in the Big Easy ends a roller coaster ride for the running back. Since the start of free agency, reports linked Peterson to Tampa Bay, the New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots Thus deciding to sign with the NFC South team.
And if anyone was wondering, the Saints face the Vikings Sept. 11 on Monday Night Football in Minnesota.