After a decade in a Minnesota Vikings uniform, Adrian Peterson is heading to The Big Easy. Peterson told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he will sign a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $7 million.
Welcome @AdrianPeterson to New Orleans! #Saints pic.twitter.com/0pIBpVMHII
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 25, 2017
Peterson leaves Minnesota as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and now teams up with former first-round pick Mark Ingram, who rushed for a career best 1,043 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns.
It ends a long process for Peterson after the Vikings declined to pick up his $18 million option at the end of last season and was officially released in March. The former Palestine star rushed for only 72 yards in three games after battling multiple injuries including a torn meniscus that sidelined the former MVP running back for much of the season. Prior to the reported deal with the Saints, Peterson had taken visits to the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
In a statement to Anderson, Peterson indicated that New Orleans was the right fit for him and his family saying in part,” I am excited to be joining the New Orleans Saints. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity. Most importantly, I chose this team because it just felt right within my spirit. Additionally, my wife and family added their confirmation with the same feelings. On offense, it goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant as a unit. They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well. I could tell from talking to head coach Sean Payton over the last two weeks that he did his due diligence in evaluating how I could contribute.”
The Saints are scheduled to play at Minnesota on Monday Night Football to start the 2017 season.
