A day after Vikings general manager Rick Spielman suggested that he was confident Adrian Peterson will stay with the Vikings, head coach Mike Zimmer echoed that stance. As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets, Zimmer doesn’t think the team will look at running backs in free agency, with Peterson set to be reinstated in April. Of course, if the Vikings do pass on free agent running backs, then decide to move on from Peterson, the position figures to be a top priority in the draft.
We’ve got plenty more Vikings-related tidbits to pass along, so let’s dive right in….
- Although he acknowledged that this year’s free agent and draft classes aren’t particularly strong for middle linebackers, Zimmer would like to add a three-down player at the position, if possible. If the club can’t add a player who fits that bill, Zimmer is fine with using a committe approach at the MLB spot (Twitter links via Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune).
- Speaking of linebackers, Zimmer also said today in an appearance on KFAN 100.3 that he believes Chad Greenway is still the best player at his position on the Vikings’ roster, and that Greenway will have the opportunity to have a role with the team going forward (Twitter link).
- In his segment on KFAN, Zimmer also mentioned that the Vikes would like to add a young developmental quarterback in this year’s draft, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Obviously, that QB would be groomed as Teddy Bridgewater‘s backup rather than someone who would replace last year’s first-round pick.
- Asked on Wednesday about his team’s approach in free agency, Spielman said, “I don’t believe in going out and spending a huge amount in free agency unless it’s something unique” (Twitter link via Tomasson).