Adrian Peterson interested in taking a pay cut to sign with the New England Patriots in 2017. The star veteran running back’s option was not picked up by the Minnesota Vikings on February 28, 2017, before the free agency period. Peterson will be an unrestricted free agent once free agency hits on March 9th and was calling for $18 million next year, according to Yahoo! Sports.
According to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald, the veteran running back could go to a contending team like the Patriots w shot at a championship.
“A source close to Peterson told the Herald that since AP has already earned a ton — more than $97 million is his career — it’s certainly something he’d consider,” the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian writes. “Peterson knows how it worked out for Darrelle Revis and Chris Long. But naturally, there will be a lot of teams in the mix, including the Vikings. And, of course, the Pats would have to want to bring in an aging back with an injury history, not to mention baggage.”
At 31 years old, Adrian Peterson is coming off a year of poor performance and injury in 2017. In 3 games in 2016, Peterson had 37 carries and a total of 72 yards (average 1.9 yards per carry) with no rushing touchdowns. But the Minnesota Vikings had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last year. Many thought that Peterson was not worth the $18 million he would be getting if the Vikings decided not to save that money and keep him in Minnesota.
Some think the All-Pro running back has fallen off due to age. While that might be true to an extent, Peterson could come cheap to the Super Bowl 51 champions. His addition would be a great signing for them in 2017. An offense with Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and the other weapons Brady utilized in the offense would be an offense that could be more lethal and dynamic in 2017.
According to Yahoo! Sports NFL writer Charles Robinson, the Patriots are “prepping” to lose Blount as an unrestricted free agent, expecting a team to make him an offer they’re not willing to match.
The Patriots are willing to let their free agents walk instead of paying more money. Jamie Collins is a prime example of the Patriots not resigning key players.
If Blount goes into free agency, Adrian Peterson could replace him and could be seen as an upgrade. Peterson would move the chains type of running back with James White and Dion Lewis playing on passing downs. The Patriots normally do not pay their running backs more than $2 million so would Peterson take less money. However, he’d play for an immediate contender like the Patriots or could another contender offer more money? Also, teams that offer Peterson a contract would have to consider the injury and age concern. Even his old team, the Vikings, could resign him for less money. Other teams that could consider Peterson include the Giants, Raiders, Packers, Buccaneers, Patriots, and the Vikings. All depends on whether Peterson goes for the money or team fit/ playoff potential.