Just because the NFL draft is approaching doesn't mean the Minnesota Vikings have changed their stance on Adrian Peterson: He still won't be traded, general manager Rick Spielman said Tuesday.
"We can just end the Adrian Peterson stuff," Spielman told reporters at the team's pre-draft news conference. "Our position has not changed.
"We have no interest in trading Adrian Peterson."
The running back hasn't attended the team's offseason workouts so far. However, he rarely has participated in the offseason activities that weren't contractually required in the past, preferring to prepare with his personal trainer in Houston, where he lives.
"Adrian made a mistake. He's paid the price for that mistake, but I think if our organization didn't believe in Adrian Peterson he probably still wouldn't be here today and that's from our ownership on down." Vikings GM Rick Spielman
His absence has drawn more attention this year because of agent Ben Dogra's public grandstanding that his client doesn't want to return to Minnesota.
On Tuesday, Spielman said he has "the utmost respect" for Dogra.
The NFL reinstated Peterson earlier this month from a suspension for a child abuse charge that kept him off the field for all but one game last season. Peterson has three years and $45 million remaining on his contract, but none of that money is guaranteed.
"Adrian made a mistake. He's paid the price for that mistake, but I think if our organization didn't believe in Adrian Peterson he probably still wouldn't be here today, and that's from our ownership on down," Spielman said.
"We believe in Adrian Peterson, but also know that we're a pretty good football team with Adrian Peterson in our backfield as well.''
The Associated Press contributed to this report.