If it wasn’t clear before, it’s now readily apparent. Adrian Peterson will not be a member of the Minnesota Vikings next season. This comes after news that the team has officially signed former Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray.
We have signed RB Latavius Murray (@LataviusM).
📰: https://t.co/MJlzFJ4oNK pic.twitter.com/EjrfcNdmB3
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 16, 2017
Murray, 27, is coming off a two-year span with the Raiders that saw him put up a combined 2,350 total yards and 18 touchdowns. He did not sign with Minnesota to be part of a running back by committee approach.
And in reality, Peterson himself likely already sees the writing on the wall here after taking a visit with the Seattle Seahawks (more on that here).
As it relates to the Vikings, they get a proven running back that’s still in his prime. Murray did see a downtick in touches this past season, but that’s primarily due to him missing two games to injury. The former sixth-round pick from Central Florida was still able to put up over 1,000 total yards and a career-best 12 rushing touchdowns.
Throughout his four-year career in Oakland, Murray gained nearly 3,000 total yards with 20 touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per rush. He earned a Pro Bowl trip with the team back in 2015.