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Adrian Peterson says 'it's not all about the money'

NFL, Minnesota Vikings

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson took to Twitter early Saturday morning to say he's "in no rush" to sign with a new team.

Peterson, who ranks 16th in NFL history with 11,747 rushing yards, became an unrestricted free agent on March 9 after the Vikings decided not to pick up their option, which would have paid him $18 million, including a $6 million roster bonus.

"Here is something straight from the horse's mouth ... finding the best fit & helping a team in a major way win a championship is my main objective! I'm in no rush," Peterson tweeted. "Let me eliminate questions or speculation as to why ... I believe whole heartedly my God will land me right where I need to be to accomplish what I've asked from him PERIOD."

Thus far there hasn't been an obvious fit for the 32-year-old Peterson, who played just three games last season because of a torn meniscus. He carried 37 times for 72 yards. 

Peterson is also still on the market in part because of a hefty initial asking price, according to multiple NFL sources. One source from a team in the market for a running back told ESPN that he believes Peterson wanted more than $8 million in the first year, which, despite Peterson's reputation as one of the best playmakers of the modern era, is steep for the current veteran tailback climate.

Peterson disagreed with that report.

"It's not all about the money as EVERYONE is speculating here lately," he tweeted. "You'd think these analysts spoke to me directly. When you don't know what's going on people will say anything to create or make a story! How prideful is it for me to put out ... I won't play for anything less than 8 million!"

Eddie Lacy, one of the first running backs signed in free agency, took a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million that includes a weight clause. The Green Bay Packers are interested in a visit with Peterson, but that might not happen until after the draft, a source told ESPN.

The Vikings moved on from Peterson with the signing of former Oakland Raiders tailback Latavius Murray earlier in free agency.

ESPN's Ben Goessling and Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.

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