The Vikings wanted to show commitment to their formerly disgruntled running back beyond 2015 and Peterson wanted to ensure that the guaranteed money in his deal matched his expected contributions on the field the next couple of years. Peterson was indicted in Texas in September on a felony charge of injury to a child for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but it covers the last three years of the seven-year, $96 million contract Peterson signed in 2011.
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Agent Ben Dogra tried to get Peterson out of Minnesota this spring, saying in March he didn’t think it was in Peterson’s “best interest” to continue his career there.
The Minnesota Vikings and All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson have agreed to a contract restructure, according to the team.
With his new deal, Peterson got “additional security”. However, none of that money was guaranteed.
Peterson began the offseason requesting a trade but after the Vikings refused to comply, he turned his focus to improving his contract. Now, with a promising young quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater in front of him, Peterson won’t have to be the only threat in the Vikings offense for once. “As we have consistently said, Adrian is a valuable part of the Vikings organisation and we look forward to his return to the field”. His base salary numbers over the next three years will come down, but his guarantees will go up.
Terms of the contractual changes won’t be made public per team policy, but the agreement provides the former NFL MVP “additional security”.
Peterson also released a statement through the team. In fact, the $20 million extra he just scored brings his total guaranteed windfall to $56 million. The deal reportedly includes an escalator and de-escalator clause, which can swing Peterson’s total compensation from anywhere between $11 and $15 million next year. He can now focus exclusively on preparing for the 2015 National Football League season and that is great news for the Vikings.
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If the roster bonus drops in 2016, Peterson can earn the money back.
