Adrian Peterson Not Attending Vikings’ OTAs

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, disgruntled Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson will miss the beginning of his team’s optional Organized Team Activities, set to begin this Tuesday.

Peterson, who missed virtually all of 2014 care of some nasty child abuse incidents, has been very vocal in his criticism of the Vikings front office, which he believes were too hasty in their efforts to distance themselves from the scandal instead of throwing support behind their most prominent player.

Apparently the $250 000 workout bonus available to Peterson – provided he takes part in at least 90 per cent of OTAs and minicamps – did little to sway the polarising star’s decision. And why should it? With three years and over $40 million left on his Minnesota contract, Peterson stands to lose little in retrospect.

The twist in the tale comes from the fact that none of that money is guaranteed, opening up the option for Peterson to be traded or cut, even though the Vikings have been very clear in their intentions to keep him in the purple and gold for at least one more season.

OTAs will make way for training camp by the end of July, which runs through until August 9, when the Vikings take on the Steelers in the annual Hall of Fame Game to open the 2015 preseason.

Something has to give before then, and as much as it might pain Vikings fans, letting go of the man that has carried their franchise for so long might be the only viable option if the team is to take some big steps this year.