National Football League

Mike Zimmer doesn't expect any issues with Adrian Peterson

Published May. 14, 2015 11:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

With the 2015 NFL Draft come and gone and Adrian Peterson still a member of the Minnesota Vikings, it appears all but certain that the running back will be on the team's roster heading into next season.

The next stage in what developed into a drawn-out saga? The organization must smooth over any hurt feelings on the running back’s part as both parties try to move on from what was an incredibly ugly, public chess match that quickly devolved into a dysfunctional game of chicken with the running back’s NFL future hanging in the balance.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who, as all members of the organization did throughout the Peterson ordeal, is continuing to take a “business as usual” approach to expecting -- and now presumably having -- the running back in the fold for the 2015 season.

The second-year coach briefly discussed Peterson during an event Wednesday where members of the Twin Cities media could sit in with him and watch game film. To no surprise, the no-nonsense coach insisted he expects no trouble from the running back when asked if he expects a Peterson to be a disgruntled distraction as the Vikings’ offesason program progresses.

“There’s a lot of its and nuts and candies and buts there,” Zimmer said, via the Star Tribune, adding, “I don’t think there will be any issues, no.”

Zimmer also indicated he has maintained a dialogue with Peterson since meeting with him -- along with general manager Rick Spielman -- in March, but stressed he wasn’t about to divulge any details or nature of those talks.

“I’m going to keep those conversations between us,” Zimmer stated.

Given Peterson previously expressed a desire to start over with another team during the protracted offseason saga, it wouldn’t be surprising if the running back played the role of malcontent. But the organization understands it holds all the cards in the situation, with Peterson under contract for the next three seasons, so it expects him to honor that deal.

Further, in light of the subtly conciliatory -- but still relatively blustery -- recent conduct of Ben Dobra, Peterson’s agent, it’s possible the icy relationship that seemingly exists between the running back and the Vikings could now begin to warm.

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