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Were the Saints Peterson's only option?

Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports

Two quiet weeks on the open market prompted Adrian Peterson to reveal his free-agent desires in late March.

After a 10-year, Hall of Fame-worthy run in Minnesota, Peterson said finding the best fit and "helping a team in a major way win a championship" were his main objectives.

The last part doesn't line up with Tuesday's announcement that he'll sign with the New Orleans Saints, a team that's posted a sub-.500 record in three straight seasons.

Related: Peterson confirms 2-year, $7M deal to join Saints

Peterson, who'd already denied a report that he wouldn't sign for anything less than $8 million in the first year of his next contract, agreed to join the Saints on a two-year, $7-million deal. The former NFL MVP has earned just under $100 million in salary in his 10 seasons, according to Spotrac, so money was likely never the motivation.

At 32 years old, Peterson's career is winding down, and he has just five playoff games on his ledger. The closest he's come to reaching a Super Bowl was the 2009 NFC Championship Game - against Drew Brees and the Saints.

But the version of the Saints that Peterson's joining is a long way from another championship. Despite owning the top-ranked offense in the league in two of the past three seasons, New Orleans hasn't qualified for the playoffs since 2013.

The team's deficiencies lie on the defensive side, where it ranked 27th last season. Adding Peterson does little to improve an already vaunted offense and doesn't address the Saints' true areas of need.

So if money and championship contention aren't part of the equation that led Peterson to Louisiana, perhaps it's fit, the first objective Peterson listed.

The Saints already employ a 1,000-yard running back. Mark Ingram is four years younger than Peterson and has 1,465 fewer career carries.

So did the Saints promise Peterson a chance to help the team "in a major way"? The Saints have never fully committed to Ingram as their primary back and the 27-year-old was seen shouting at head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines near the end of last season.

There is a potential out in Ingram's contract after 2017. If New Orleans is preparing to cut bait after a roller-coaster relationship, Peterson represents a reasonable facsimile.

The Saints hosted Peterson for a two-day visit in early April, and fit, use, and offensive philosophy were presumably the topics of discussion. Peterson made his only other visit to the Patriots, who ultimately went in another direction to add to their rushing unit. He identified the Raiders and Seahawks as desirable landing spots, but Oakland opted to pursue retired running back Marshawn Lynch and Seattle signed Eddie Lacy.

The real reason Peterson agreed to sign with the Saints is likely the fact he drew little to no interest elsewhere.

Two days away from a draft that features one of the deepest and most talented running back classes in years, the Saints were perhaps the only club that could promise Peterson a uniform and playing time. In his angry Instagram post in March, he promised there was no question he'd play football again in 2017. It looks like New Orleans was the only team that could ensure it.

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