Free agent running back and 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson is close to becoming a member of the Saints.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the New Orleans Saints are "heading toward a deal" with Peterson, worth "$3 million per year" and incentives that could allow him to make $1 million more. No details on the length of the proposed deal has been revealed at this time.

Peterson visited the team several weeks ago and apparently liked what he saw.

It's important to note the deal is not done, but Rapoport reporting the Saints are "closing in on a deal" makes it extremely likely.

New Orleans currently has three running backs on the roster from a season ago, including starter Mark Ingram, along with backups Travaris Cadet and Daniel Lasco.

Ingram currently makes an average of $4 million per year over the life of his contract, more than what's reportedly been offered to Peterson.

To this point, Peterson has played his entire NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings (2007-2016).

Upon entering free agency, he and his agent reportedly sought a deal worth worth $8 million in 2017.

Teams didn't budge, and the 3 time NFL rushing champion was left with fewer options than anticipated.

At 32, league perception is he's past his prime. In 2016, he suffered torn meniscus in Week 2, returned to the field in Week 15, but suffered an abductor strain, missing the final two weeks of the season.

In 2015, he led the NFL in rushing with 1,485 yards.

He currently is the NFL's all-time leader in most rushing yards in a single game (296), most rushing yards in any eight-game period (1,322), most 60+ yard TD runs in a career (13), tied for most 50+ yard runs in a single season (7, with Barry Sanders), and tied for most 200+ rushing yard games in career (6, with O.J Simpson).

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