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Saints agree to two-year deal with All-Pro RB Peterson

By Alex Butler
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson agreed to a two-year contract Tuesday morning with the New Orleans Saints. File photo by Ian Halperin/UPI
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson agreed to a two-year contract Tuesday morning with the New Orleans Saints. File photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo

April 25 (UPI) -- Mark Ingram now has some company in the New Orleans Saints' backfield after the team agreed to a two-year deal with Adrian Peterson Tuesday, according to the running back.

Peterson told ESPN that the deal is a one-year pact with a one-year option worth about $7 million in total. He could make $3.5 million (non-guaranteed) and has $2.4 million in roster bonuses in 2018. He told ESPN he will make $3.5 million guaranteed in 2017. He received his $1 million salary and $2.5 million signing bonus at the signing. His maximum incentives package could approach $8.25 million.

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"I am excited to be joining the New Orleans Saints," Peterson told ESPN. "I'm really looking forward to this opportunity. Most importantly, I chose this team because it just felt right within my spirit. Additionally, my wife and family added their confirmation with the same feelings. On offense, it goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant as a unit. They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well.

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"I could tell from talking to head coach Sean Payton over the last two weeks that he did his due diligence in evaluating how I could contribute," Peterson added. "I also did a lot of homework on the defense as well. While I know that injuries have played a role in performance, I also see areas of potential with a lot of younger guys having the ability to step up. Lastly, it goes without saying that the Saints have an amazing fan base and I look forward to making them proud and creating everlasting memories."

The NFL Network confirmed the signing.

Peterson, 32, is expected to back up Ingram, who had the best year of his career last season. Alternatively, Peterson averaged 1.9 yards per carry on 37 attempts in three games during his injury riddled 2016 campaign. He led the NFL with 1,485 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015.

Peterson's new salary ranks No. 22 among running backs. He'll be paid less than Frank Gore, Theo Riddick, Bilal Powell and Ryan Mathews, among others.

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The Minnesota Vikings cut the four-time All-Pro and former NFL MVP in February mostly due to his lofty $18 million 2017 salary. The NFL Network reported he wasn't expected to sign with a new team until after the NFL Draft on Thursday.

Peterson was linked to at least five other teams in the past three months and visited the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. He worked out for the Saints in early April.

Ingram, 27, is playing on the third year of a four-year, $16 million contract.

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