Matt Chatham: Adrian Peterson Should Return To Vikings In 2015

The Minnesota Vikings are welcoming Adrian Peterson back with open arms, so why is the running back reportedly trying to leave town?

That’s what former NFL linebacker Matt Chatham wants to know.

The Vikings have said that they’d “love” to have Peterson spend another year in purple and gold, yet reports say the 30-year-old would rather be with the Dallas Cowboys and isn’t getting along with Vikings executives. In his latest FootballByFootball.com column, Chatham said that Peterson shouldn’t be asking for so much after letting the team down with his child abuse scandal.

“For a player, once the football begins, what’s going on in management couldn’t (or at least shouldn’t) be further from your mind,” Chatham wrote. “How do you feel about your owner or some other person in the building? Who cares? If the locker room and coaching staff will welcome you back with an opportunity to win back good grace, you need to grab it. Especially since it’s a locker room full of guys your actions left hanging a short time ago.”

Chatham used Cowboys fans’ anger over the Greg Hardy signing as an example why Peterson should just take the money and (literally) run.

“Minnesota and its fans are willing to give you a second chance. Take it,” Chatham wrote. “And make the most of it. The NFL universe has a habit of falling out of love with running backs in a hot minute anyhow. At this point, being thankful that you’re still welcome should be the first thought.”