Are the New England Patriots a realistic landing spot for impending free agent Adrian Peterson?
Citing a source close to the veteran running back, the Boston Herald reported Sunday that Peterson would consider accepting a team-friendly contract from the Super Bowl champions.
Peterson has pocketed close to $100 million over the past decade with the Minnesota Vikings. If he has reached a point in his career where chasing a championship is now a driving force, he could follow the well-worn path to New England, traveled in recent seasons by mercenary veterans such as Darrelle Revis and Chris Long.
The Around The NFL Podcast has highlighted several reasons to believe there might be a fit between Peterson and the Patriots.
Bill Belichick likes to be an outlier, zigging when the rest of the league zags. If one-dimensional power backs are devalued by the other 31 teams, perhaps Belichick will try to swoop in and steal the best one on the cheap as he did with an aging Corey Dillon in 2004.
With Dion Lewis and Super Bowl hero James White capably handling passing downs, Belichick could simply plug Peterson into LeGarrette Blount's early-down hammer role that generated 18 touchdowns last season.
Until agents begin negotiating with teams on Tuesday, though, Peterson-to-New England is simply conjecture.
Citing a source familiar with Peterson's situation, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday's edition of Free Agency Frenzy that there is "nothing going on" with the Patriots in the early stages of the NFL's negotiating window.
