Adrian Peterson’s relationship with the Minnesota Vikings has recently deteriorated at a rapid pace.
Peterson has not participated in the team’s offseason workouts because he is not scheduled to make any more guaranteed money beyond the upcoming season. In a conversation with ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Peterson stated that his decision to avoid the Vikings is based on “business.”
“The reason I’m not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded. It’s about securing my future with the Vikings. It’s business, not personal and I understand that firsthand. Go Vikings.”
As for the Vikings, head coach Mike Zimmer was particularly blunt when it came to Peterson’s standing within the Vikings organization:
“He’s really got two choices: He can play for us. Or he cannot play,” Zimmer told the assembled media at offseason workouts.
That position likely didn’t sit well with Peterson, as the running back took to Twitter on Thursday to rant on matters ranging from his contract with the Vikings to the very idea of contracts and the notion of free will. It was as long-winded and hard to follow as one would expect from someone trying to tackle the concept of “free will” in 140 characters.
I love people who think they know it all! Smh, Research how many NFL teams hasn't honored a player's contract & learn something.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Question for the people, is a contract two sided or one?
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Ok great two sided! Well why when one party decides … Mr. ? we wan't you to take a pay cut now or better yet flat out release you!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
There's never no talk about honoring a contract!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
I know hundreds of player's that wished their team would've HONORED the contract! But instead got threw to the side like like trash.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
A lill crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it come to the contract! But when the other-side (player's)
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Feels for whatever reason! Family, Change of scenery or simply – what they feels just might work best for them! Those same laws don't apply!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
It's all about honoring you're contract! Sounds like free will is being a lil challenged to me!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
All I'm saying as a Minnesota Viking player! WE need the same power to do as all 32 teams do we they feel, under contract or not!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
It's time for a change! Then again I'm grateful because at the end of the day, I know some of those same guys that wish a team held on!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
If Peterson’s goal is to get a new contract with the Vikings, this sure is an odd way to go about it.
