Payton: Peterson trade 'was done just using common sense'

The writing was on the wall for Adrian Peterson.

Though the veteran running back was scooped up by the New Orleans Saints in free agency, he hardly saw the field in his first four games with the team.

Incumbent starter Mark Ingram nearly doubled his carries and rookie Alvin Kamara flashed as a receiving threat.

It all led the Saints to trade Peterson to the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday, something New Orleans coach Sean Payton said made too much sense not to do.

"This was done just using common sense, and we had a chance to get a draft pick next year," Payton said, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune. "I know Arizona was short at this position, and there's a confidence level we have with how Mark and how Alvin are playing."

Though Peterson's time in New Orleans was brief, there doesn't appear to be any lingering animosity between the coach and his former player.

"Our relationship, I would say, has been fantastic, and (the trade) was an opportunity really where he was going to obviously get somewhere and be featured more," Payton said. "I'm happy that that opportunity has come up and we were able to make a trade."