Adrian Peterson: 'Minnesota Vikings would take heavy hit if I left the team'

Experienced Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has said that his team would take a "heavy hit" if he were to depart in the near future.

The former MVP was responding to questions about his future in the team, with the Vikings possibly considering making use of their younger players as they build towards a goal of Super Bowl contention in the coming years.

"I think the organization would take a heavy hit – for real – more so from the fan base," Peterson told USA Today.

"I don't think it would be like a LeBron [James] situation where they're burning my jersey, this, that and the other. They might be doing [the opposite] and not buying some season tickets."

Peterson made his debut for the Vikings in 2007, having been chosen during the first round of the NFL Draft in the same year.