Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles become free agents

Lesson no. infinity that the NFL is a young man’s game, particularly at running back.

The Vikings chose not to exercise the 2017 option on soon-to-be-32-year old Adrian Peterson, while the Chiefs waived 30-year-old Jamaal Charles.

Minnesota decided that Peterson was not worth the $18 million he was slated to earn this season. His value on the open market will be fascinating on an individual basis, and provide a glimpse into the state of the position. Between being suspended for child abuse in 2014 and tearing his meniscus last season, Peterson has seldom seen the field in recent years. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that Jerry Jones is interested in bringing the Texas native to Dallas to pair with superstar back, Ezekiel Elliott. Though given Peterson’s propensity to publically state his individual stat goals, a relegation to backup hardly seems palpable. We could very much see him re-signing in Minnesota at a significantly reduced price.

Charles has seen even less time over the past two years, playing in just eight games, after an ACL tear, followed by knee surgery last season. Charles will go down as one of the greatest Chiefs offensive players in franchise history. Given his goal of joining a Super Bowl contender, perhaps it is Charles that ends up in Dallas. His lateral, shifty style and explosiveness would make an ideal to complement to the physical charging Elliott.

Reminder parents: If you want your kids to play football and thrive past 30, get them kicking.