Where Will Adrian Peterson’s Free Agency Land Him?

Former Oklahoma All-American Adrian Peterson is a free man, in National Football League free-agency terms.

After 10 up and down – but mostly up – seasons as a star running back with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, the team announced this week that it would not exercise its option on Peterson for the 2017 season.

The Vikings’ all-time leading rusher with 11,747 career yards was due to make $18 million this fall if he remained with Minnesota. Peterson was injured in the opening game of the 2016 season. He suffered a meniscus tear in that game and ended up seeing action in just parts of three games over the course of the 16-game season a year ago. He finished the year with only 72 yards in 37 carries for an average of under two yards per rush.

Associated Press writer Dave Campbell reported that Peterson has cost the Vikings an estimated $18,000 per yard over the last three years. The soon-to-be-32-year-old running back has had a difficult three years since the 2014 season.

Peterson was forced to sit out virtually the entire 2014 season with a suspension because of a child-abuse incident involving his then-four-year-old son. The star running back returned to action in 2015 and led the NFL in rushing with nearly 1,500 yards only to disappear the following year with the season-ending injury right at the start.

At Oklahoma from 2004 to 2006, Peterson set a freshman rushing record and was second in the Heisman balloting that same season. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected No. 7 overall in the 2007 draft.

Peterson is a four-time All-Pro selection and led the league in rushing three times (2008, 2012 and 2015). The former All-American is clearly on the downside of a brilliant football career. The question now becomes where will he end up for his 11th NFL season.

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There have been reports that Peterson is intrigued with the situation in New York, where the Giants clearly could use an upgrade in their running game. While the acquisition of Peterson would not be a long-term solution, in the short term, the machine-like running back could fill an immediate need for the Giants or any other NFL team.

If Peterson were to sign with the Giants, he would be united with another former Oklahoma star in wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who was a rookie this past season.

Personally, I would not be at all surprised if Peterson were to end up with the Dallas Cowboys, except for the fact that the ‘Boys already are blessed with an outstanding, young running back in Ezkiel Elliott. I would imagine it would be difficult for Peterson to turn down the opportunity to play for the team that was his favorite growing up in Palestine, Texas.

I don’t imagine that the Cowboys would be willing to offer Peterson the kind of money he is asking for, given his age and recent injury issues, but stranger things have happened, especially when Dallas owner Jerry Jones is involved.

Someone is definitely going to sign the All-Pro performer. If anyone his age and with his wear and tear still has game left in him, it is the incredible-athlete Peterson. It is going to be interesting to see where he will take his next act in what has been a stellar football career, both at the college and NFL level.