At least one change is coming to the Minnesota Vikings backfield.
Fullback Jerome Felton, who saw his workload reduced after running back Adrian Peterson was suspended, opted out of the final year of his contract and will become a free agent.
Felton, 28, helped pave the way for Peterson's MVP season in 2012, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance. He signed a three-year contract the following offseason for $7.5 million. Felton was set to make $2.5 million next season.
"Want to thank the Vikings organization for the last three years," Felton wrote on his Twitter page (@jfelton45). "It's been a life changing few years and I have so much respect and admiration for what they've done for my family and myself!! Vikings fans are some of the best in the league and I want to say thank you for all your support! No doors are closed but I'm excited to see what the future holds!! #skol #thankyou."
Felton will likely be one of the top free agent fullbacks in the offseason. He told FOXSportsNorth.com he isn't discounting a return to Minnesota, but now has more flexibility and could possibly choose a situation which would offer him more playing time.
According to Pro Football Focus, Felton played just 175 snaps last season in new coordinator Norv Turner's offense. He was still effective when called upon. Pro Football Focus graded Felton as the league's seventh-best fullback and he played fewer snaps than each player graded higher.
Peterson missed all but one game and Felton wasn't utilized as much in front of fill-in backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata. Peterson, who has a hearing in Minneapolis on Friday in his lawsuit against the league, is currently suspended until April and his future with the team is uncertain.
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