The best running back in the history of the Minnesota Vikings likely won't be returning to the franchise next season.

The team announced on Tuesday that they were not picking up the option on the contract of Adrian Peterson for next year, making the future Hall of Famer an unrestricted free agent next week.

By not picking up the option on Peterson's contract for next season, the Vikings will save $18 million.

The 31-year Peterson suffered a torn meniscus last season, limiting him to only three games, in which he gained 72 yards on 37 attempts.

It was the second time in three years that Peterson missed the majority of a season, after being limited to only one game in 2014, after being suspended due to child abuse charges.

The 7th-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, Peterson is a 7-time Pro Bowler, and won the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player award, after rushing for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns.

A native of Palestine, Texas, Peterson led the NFL in rushing yards in tree different seasons (2008, 2012, and 2015), and has accumulated 11,747 NFL rushing yards, to go along with 97 touchdowns, in parts of 10 seasons.

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