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Adrian Peterson Shows, Cam Newton Gets Paid And The Seahawks Shudder

Guess who's coming to practice.

Saying that he needed to “Get back in the building,” running back Adrian Peterson returned to the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday to begin participating in organized team activities.

“I’ve been working out hard, keeping my body in shape and it came down just to getting back in the building, being around my teammates, being around my coaches, getting back into the swing of things,” Peterson told reporters Tuesday. “I reached out, kinda gave them the heads up and said, ‘I’ll be in town, I’ll be coming in.'”

It was a starkly different tone from Peterson than the image he’s presented over the last few months, either through his own comments or comments from his agent, Ben Dogra. Back in February at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine Dogra even got into a physical altercation with a Vikings official and the two men had to be separated.

Peterson had made it clear that in his mind, he’d been victimized by the Vikings, that they had not properly supported him during his battle with the NFL over his suspension for abusing his young son. Tuesday, he’d evidently changed his mind and tried to change history too.

“I’m definitely not the victim,” Peterson said. “And never tried to play the victim in this role.”

Peterson wanted to be traded and his agent made that clear all offseason, but after no move was made on draft day, it appeared the Vikings had made the decision to keep the former All-Pro running back, whether he liked it or not.

Last week Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer made the team’s feelings clear, saying that Peterson would play for the Vikings or “play for no one.” Peterson immediately took to Twitter and embarrassed himself,  complaining about the contract he signed with the Vikings that wouldn’t let him just walk away from the team with free money for not playing.

Zimmer exhibited no hard feelings during his session with the media.

“I love this kid, I really do,” Zimmer said. “I wouldn’t fly down to Houston (back in March) to see him if he wasn’t important to me.”

Peterson is important to the team, especially with the moves the Vikings have made over the last two offseasons. Adding Peterson to the backfield to go along with an up-and-coming quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, and legitimate passing weapons like Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph, Cordarelle Patterson and rookie MyCole Pruitt, the Vikings become a much more frightening team to play.

Cam Newton signs monster extension

Five years, $103.8 million. That’s what Cam Newton is worth and its what the Carolina Panthers gave the 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler Tuesday, making Newton the third highest paid quarterback i the NFL. He’ll average $20.76 million a season.

“I’m thankful this opportunity came and it’s over with,” Newton said. “Now that I can focus on playing football and getting the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl and winning the Super Bowl, it puts me somewhat in cruise control at the moment, but yet with me understanding so much is going to be expected of me.”

The deal comes with $60 million guaranteed and will pay Newton $67.6 million over the first three seasons. Signing Newton to a long-term extension was an easy call for the Panthers. Not only is he coming off a playoff season and his first career playoff win, but as a marketable personality, Newton is one of the most popular representatives of the NFL brand. If anything, signing a contract this size will only improve Newton’s marketability. Newton is expected to earn around $11 million in endorsements in 2015 alone.

It’s Russell Wilson’s turn now

While Newton and the Panthers are happy with this deal, not everybody in the NFL is thrilled. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is also looking for a long-term extension and obviously deserves one. If Newton is worth $20.76 million a season, what is a quarterback that went to back-to-back Super Bowls and won one worth?

Aaron Rodgers makes $22 million and Wilson probably won’t get that, but the number the Seahawks are looking at is $21 million easy and that’s where the negotiations will even start. Wilson is scheduled to make $1.542 million this season.

Written by Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a writer and photographer based out of East Tennessee. His work has appeared on Cracked.com, in USA Today, the Associated Press, the Chicago Cubs Vineline Magazine, AskMen.com and many other publications.

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