Adrian Peterson: NFL contracts give teams too much leverage over players

The Minnesota Vikings, which began its 2015 organized team activities this week, have not reached a contract resolution with reinstated running back Adrian Peterson, who in an exasperated social media rant Thursday noted NFL contracts give teams too much leverage over players.

The Minnesota Vikings, which began its 2015 organized team activities this week, have still not reached a contract resolution with reinstated running back Adrian Peterson, who said Thursday that NFL contracts give teams too much leverage over players. 

Petersonissued a statementWednesday that explained his absence from this week’s OTA as being unrelated to him demanding a trade from the team. 

"It’s business, not personal and I understand that firsthand," Peterson said. 

On Thursday, Peterson explained his frustration with what he characterized as the one-sided nature of contract proceedings. He implied several NFL players have not been paid money their contracts have stated they're owed.

Peterson believes the Vikings should pay him the $46 million left on the three years of his current contract. That money, however, is not currently guaranteed. If Peterson is actively a member of Minnesota's roster before the team's Sept. 14 season-opener against San Francisco, then his $12.75 million salary owed in 2015 will become guaranteed.

On Wednesday, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson has "really got two choices. He can either play for us or he can not play," connoting the team's leverage over Peterson. 

By skipping OTAs, which are voluntary, Peterson is forfeiting a $250,000 bonus in his contract. 

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Check out Peterson's tweets below:

I love people who think they know it all! Smh, Research how many NFL teams hasn't honored a player's contract & learn something.

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

Question for the people, is a contract two sided or one?

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

Ok great two sided! Well why when one party decides ... Mr. ? we wan't you to take a pay cut now or better yet flat out release you!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

There's never no talk about honoring a contract!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

I know hundreds of player's that wished their team would've HONORED the contract! But instead got threw to the side like like trash.

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

A lill crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it come to the contract! But when the other-side (player's)

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

Feels for whatever reason! Family, Change of scenery or simply - what they feels just might work best for them! Those same laws don't apply!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

It's all about honoring you're contract! Sounds like free will is being a lil challenged to me!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

All I'm saying as a Minnesota Viking player! WE need the same power to do as all 32 teams do we they feel, under contract or not!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

It's time for a change! Then again I'm grateful because at the end of the day, I know some of those same guys that wish a team held on!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015

- Will Green