Rick Spielman wants Adrian Peterson to retire as a Viking

Despite signs suggesting a different outcome, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman apparently still wants to keep Adrian Peterson.

Two of the last three seasons have been essentially lost for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, with a  2015 rushing title in between. As he approaches 32 years old, he’s close to the end of his career, and his team has a significant financial decision coming regarding his contract.

On the heels of Peterson’s off-the-cuff naming of three teams he would like to play for last week, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman appeared on Sirius XM radio Tuesday night. Peterson’s name of course came up, and Spielman said exactly what he could have been expected to say.

The idea of Peterson spending his entire career as a Viking is fine, but as a practical matter it’s unrealistic. Peterson is due a  total of $18 million in salary and bonuses in 2017, and he’s shown no inclination to take a pay cut at this point.

The Vikings can cut Peterson in March, within the first few days of the league year, with no salary cap implications. Spielman can’t publicly say Peterson will be released as soon as possible, which would set the table for the rest of his offseason plan. The sentiment of having Peterson retire as a Viking is likely coming from owner Zygi Wilf, so Spielman has to toe the company line right now.

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Spielman actively engages in general manager-speak each time he talks to the media, as expected, with a lot of words that mean nothing when it comes time to make decisions. The decision on Peterson has surely already been made, and the future Hall of Famer should spend whatever is left of his career in another uniform.