Adrian Peterson, Vikings restructure deal

The Minnesota Vikings and All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson have agreed to a contract restructure, according to the team. The numbers have not been divulged at this point, but it is expected to bring cap relief to the Vikings over the final three years of his deal.

Currently, Peterson has a $15.4 million cap hit in 2015 before sporting  cap numbers of $15 million and $17 million in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Peterson has very little protection from being cut under that deal, however, because after this season, the Vikings would have no dead money against their cap if they decided to cut him.

Peterson is coming back after playing in only one game last year. The six-time All-Pro was put on the Commissioner’s Exempt List for the final 15 games while Peterson fought legal battles over the beating of his young son with a switch. Peterson eventually entered a guilty plea and avoided jail time.

With Peterson out of the lineup, head coach Mike Zimmer turned to Matt Asiata to led the attack. Needless to say, Minnesota is thrilled to be welcoming Peterson back into the fold.

Heading into 2015, Peterson has six 1,000-yard seasons including a 2,097-yard campaign, the second-best single-season total in NFL history behind only Eric Dickerson. Peterson remains the focus of the offense, although he finally has some weapons around him in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, tight end Kyle Rudolph and receiver Mike Wallace.

Peterson has been the best running back in football since being taken from the University of Oklahoma in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Minnesota has yet to reach the Super Bowl with him, but did get to the NFC Championship before falling to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in 2009. Since then, the Vikingshave not won a playoff game.

We will keep you updated when the figures come out on Peterson’s deal.