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Adrian Peterson: 'Not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded'

Bruce Kluckhohn / USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson has broken his silence.

The 30-year-old running back is apparently willing to surrender a $250,000 workout bonus by skipping OTAs and minicamps, but in a statement released to ESPN's Josina Anderson on Wednesday evening, he revealed he doesn't want to be traded.

"The reason I'm not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded," Peterson said. "It's about securing my future with the Vikings. It's business, not personal and I understand that firsthand. Go Vikings."

Peterson's comments come on the heels of statements Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made earlier in the day about his star running back not being present at OTAs.

Zimmer was decidedly unimpressed with the 2012 MVP and declared an ultimatum Wednesday.

"He's really got two choices: He can play for us. Or he can not play," Zimmer said to reporters Wednesday.

Zimmer stated on May 13 that he did not expect any issues with Peterson reporting to mandatory minicamp in June, but changed his stance after the running back continued his holdout.

Peterson revealed to ESPN's Ben Goessling in April that he was angered by the coverage of his child abuse case, and opined that the Vikings didn't support him during his nadir.

However, Peterson's most recent comments seem to indicate he is angling for a change in his deal. The back is still owed more than $44.5 million over the next three seasons, but none of that is guaranteed.

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