Teams might not be rushing to sign free agent Peterson
MINNEAPOLIS— With NFL free agency unofficially beginning Tuesday, giving Adrian Peterson a chance to choose his team for 2017 and beyond, he might have more boxes he would like to check than serious suitors for his services.
The Minnesota Vikings star, soon to be 32 and coming off a significant knee injury, has suggested he still feels he should be one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs and be the focal point of an offence.
And Peterson, who has been a part of one career playoff win, hopes to play for a contender with a good head coach and a good defence. He wouldn’t mind playing in his home state of Texas, too.
It appears, however, that Peterson is in for a reality check when the NFL’s two-day window opens, allow- ing teams to talk contract with other teams’ free agents.
The Boston Herald, citing a source close to Peterson, said the running back was receptive to accepting less money to chase a ring with the New England Patriots. Coach Bill Belichick has not given big bucks to a veteran back since Corey Dillon in 2004.
One ESPN report said Peterson is intrigued by the Oakland Raiders, who have one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo said they would look into Peterson. Ditto for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.