Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says he didn't stage a training-camp holdout like some of his peers because he's "in the driver's seat" for his next contract.
Peterson, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal and scheduled to receive $10.7 million in base salary this season, said he was determined to fully participate in camp and let his contract talks unfold later.
"I'm pretty much in a good position right now, kinda in the driver's seat," Peterson told KRLD-FM in Dallas on Wednesday. "So I just decided that this is my last year of my contract and I'll stay faithful to it. I'll just go out and focus on doing what I can do to help this team win a championship."
When asked how closely he was following the contract talks between holdout running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans, Peterson said, "I'm really not following too much. To be honest, I wish him the best. I hope he gets as much as possible. I don't feel like whatever he brings in will affect my contract at all."
The San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore and the Chicago Bears' Matt Forte were other notable holdouts this summer.
Four stellar seasons have helped Peterson achieve every performance bonus in the deal he signed after being drafted in 2007. He already has tied the franchise record for career rushing touchdowns with 52, set the franchise single-season rushing record with 1,760 yards in 2008 and broke the NFL's single-game rushing mark with 296 yards in 2007.
Last season, Peterson rushed for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns, receiving his fourth Pro Bowl berth in as many years.
Peterson also answered the inevitable question about life without quarterback Brett Favre.
"I guess it feels good in a sense because that wasn't my No. 1 question this offseason: 'Is Brett coming back? Is Brett coming back? Is he coming back? Is he coming back?'Â " Peterson said. "But not having him around the locker room, he was a great person ... so I'm going to miss his company."
When asked if he believed Favre was retired for good, Peterson said: "I don't know. That's a good question. You never know with Favre, man. He likes to pop up midseason."
