Adrian Peterson Reportedly to Skip Vikings OTAs, Could Lose $250K Workout Bonus

Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson reportedly will not be present for the start of organized team activities on Tuesday.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported the news Sunday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation:

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Peterson will remain at his home in Texas. The source couldn’t say for sure if Peterson will attend any of the team’s three OTA sessions but doesn’t expect he will.

Peterson, who missed 15 games last season because of a child-abuse incident, has been disgruntled because he has not believed some in the Minnesota organization did enough to get him back on the field last fall. The Vikings have said they will not trade Peterson, who has three years left on his contract.

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NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Kevin Seifert jumped in with more details:

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported that this decision is meant to send a message to the Vikings: 

Peterson's contract stipulates that he must partake in at least 90 percent of OTAs and the minicamp; otherwise, he stands to lose a $250,000 workout bonus. June 2-4 and June 8-11 are the dates for Vikings OTAs, and the mandatory minicamp is slated for June 16-18.

The Associated Press' Jay Cohen weighed in on the situation:

Even though Peterson is arguably the best player at his position in the NFL, Minnesota ran the ball well last season, when the 2012 league MVP appeared in only one game. The Vikings were among the worst passing offenses in football but finished 14th in rushing yards.

The dynamic combination of power runner Matt Asiata and second-year speedster Jerick McKinnon can tide Minnesota's offense over, not to mention the progress of prospective franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Having a talent like Peterson obviously makes the Vikings better on paper, but the reported tense relations between Peterson and the organization leave the 30-year-old's future in the Twin Cities in a rather tenuous state.