Adrian Peterson has found a new home. The standout running back has reportedly signed with the New Orleans Saints. Peterson played the first 10 seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal is apparently for two years and $7 million dollars, with only the first year and $3.5 million in guaranteed money.
Adrian Peterson tells me he plans to sign with the #Saints on a 2 yr deal, effectively a (1 + 1op) term worth a base value of $7M. (Cont.)
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 25, 2017
Terms Peterson told me he's agreed to at this point. 2017 compensation: $3.5M (all guaranteed at signing) {$1M G-salary in '17 and $2.5M SB}
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 25, 2017
Peterson says 2018 compensation is $3.5M (none of which is guaranteed). {$2.4M in total roster bonuses ( (cont) https://t.co/BZYXW42ISX
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 25, 2017
Report: Adrian Peterson to Sign With New Orleans
Adrian Peterson’s release from Minnesota made sense from a financial and performance standpoint. The Vikings saved $18 million in cap space by making him a free agent before the start of the league year. Peterson only played in three games last season after suffering another major knee injury. Since he is turning 32 this month and has suffered a couple major knee injuries, the move was expected.
Peterson has bounced back from major knee injuries before. During Week 16 of the 2011 season, Peterson took an awkward hit and tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in a game against the Washington Redskins. His status for the beginning of the 2012 season was immediately in question because the injury occurred near the end of the 2011 regular season. However, Peterson had ACL reconstruction surgery just six days after the injury. Nine months after the operation, he miraculously suited up for the Vikings’ Week 1 battle against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He went on to have the best season of his career, rushing for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns.
During his 10 seasons with the Vikings, Peterson recorded 13,692 yards from scrimmage and 102 total touchdowns. He was named a First-Team All-Pro four times and appeared in six Pro Bowls. He started 116 of his 123 games with the Vikings. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Adrian Peterson excelled in three sports (football, basketball, and track) at Palestine High School in Texas. Rivals.com listed him as the No. 1 running back in the class of 2004, and he eventually committed to the University of Oklahoma. He played three seasons at Oklahoma, rushing for over 1,000 yards and at least 12 touchdowns each season. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting during his freshman season.
Main Photo:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 18: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs off the field after warmups prior to an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images)
