Vikings decline option on Peterson

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota’s all-time leading rusher and a firstteam all-pro pick in four of his 10 seasons with the Vikings, will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when the market opens next week.

The Vikings said Tuesday as expected they will not exercise their option for 2017 on Peterson’s contract, which called for him to make $18 million. That would have been an unwieldy hit to their salary cap and by far the highest figure in the National Football League for a running back. Pittsburgh’s decision to place the franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell likely will mean a $12 million-plus salary for the 25-year-old, but nobody else at the position in the league is even close.

The Vikings left the door open for Peterson to return to the team that drafted him in 2007 with the seventh overall pick, only at a much lower price. The fact they announced their decision nine days before the deadline was an indication that little dialogue about a new deal has taken place.

The Bovada online sports betting website has the Green Bay Packers as a 10-1 shot to sign Peterson. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-1 followed by the Vikings, and New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs at 5-1.

Chiefs cut Charles: The Chiefs parted ways with four-time Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles, clearing more than $6 million in salary cap space by drawing the curtain on an unforgettable era.

And that money was put to quick use as the Chiefs finalized a $78 million, six-year deal with all-pro safety Eric Berry and signed offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to a $41.25 million, five-year extension.

Cousins gets tagged: The Washington Redskins placed the exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Coming off a pair of statistically impressive seasons, and a nearly $20 million salary under the franchise tag last season, Cousins is now in line for a one-year salary of about $24 million.

Revis is released: The New York Jets released cornerback Darrelle Revis, ending his second tenure with the team that was marked by a slip in play because of injuries and age.

Revis, 31, was scheduled to make $15 million, including a $2 million roster bonus, next season — but that would have been a lofty salary for an aging player who admittedly had a sub-par year.

The move makes Revis a free agent while also clearing about $9.3 million on the salary cap.

Revis also is facing aggravated assault and other charges alleging he was in a fight with two men Feb. 12 in Pittsburgh.