Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will not be joining the organized team activities that span three days beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
An insider told The Associated Press that Peterson indicated to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer his intention of skipping the optional team practices. Missing the activities will no longer provide the running back with the $250,000 workout bonus. The report also cited that Peterson joined the OTAs in the summer of 2014 but also skipped some in the past.
Peterson clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Minnesota Vikings when he felt that the organization did not give him the support he needed when he was accused of child abuse in the past season. He indicated through his agent that he did not want to play for the team, but the Vikings stated that they have no intention of trading or releasing him. Peterson is still slated to play for the Vikings for three more seasons for $44.25 million. He is set to be paid $12.75 million in the 2015 NFL season.
Yahoo Sports reported that a league source shared that Ben Dogra, Peterson’s agent, was looking to rework the latter’s contract with the Vikings to secure more guaranteed money. Peterson’s source said that the issue has become more personal in nature and that it was never about the money for Peterson. There were plenty of other possible reasons why Peterson wanted to leave the Vikings since the offseason.
The Vikings will also hold optional practices on June 2 to 4 and June 8 to 11. They have a mandatory minicamp on June 16 to 18. If Peterson does not participate in the team’s mandatory activity, he will face heavy fines. St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote that the Vikings can fine Peterson up to $72,920 if he does not join June’s mandatory minicamp. One source said that the Vikings actually have discretion whether or not to fine him for skipping the mandatory workout.
The Vikings training camp will commence in the last weekend of July. Minnesota is scheduled to play in the preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 9, 2015 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
St. Paul Pioneer Press was the first to report that Peterson will be skipping the OTAs and will be staying home in Texas. The source, who is allegedly Peterson’s confidant, preferred to remain anonymous. The source could not confirm whether Peterson will be joining the three other OTAs in June, but expects that the running back will skip these as well.
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