Adrian Peterson "probably" playing last season in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, July 26 (UPI) -- Could 'Purple Jesus' possibly abandon the Twin Cities?

Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press believes so. On Tuesday, Walters wrote: "Vikings fans should savor watching Adrian Peterson this season. It probably will be the last in Minnesota for the future hall of fame running back."

Peterson has rushed for every single one of his 11,765 yards and 97 career touchdowns as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. But his huge contract could put that destination in peril for the remainder of his career.

The 31-year-old four-time first-team All-Pro is due $12 million this season and $18 million in 2017. Peterson will be a free agent in 2018, at 33-years-old.

Last week, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Matt Vensel speculated that the Vikings want to run a "more shotgun-centric offense" in 2016.

"Peterson struggled running out of the shotgun early last season, so the Vikings started calling more under-center plays. They figure to go back to a more shotgun-centric offense this season, which means Peterson will have to make the most of his shotgun carries," Vensel wrote.

Peterson led the NFL in rushing last season with 327 carries, 1,485 yards, and 11 touchdowns. During Peterson's injury and suspension-plagued season in 2014, Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon stepped in for a combined 10 touchdowns and 1,108 rushing yards.

Last month, ESPN's Ben Goessling reported that Peterson "believes he can churn out 1,000-yard seasons into his mid-30s..."

"Being 31, I'm able to see that I'm outdoing the younger guys that are fresh out of college," Peterson told Goessling. "It's always just confidence to inspire you to keep working hard."

The Vikings report to training camp July 28.