MINNEAPOLIS – Adrian Peterson, all-time leading rusher for Minnesota and a first-team All-Pro pick in four of his 10 seasons with the Vikings, will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when the market opens next week.

The Vikings as expected said Tuesday they won’t exercise their option for 2017 on Peterson’s contract, which called for him to make $18 million. That would have been an unwieldly hit to their salary cap and by far the highest figure in the NFL for a running back. Pittsburgh’s decision to place the franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell likely will mean a $12 million-plus salary for the 25-year-old, but nobody else at the position in the league is even close.

The Minnesota Vikings declined Tuesday to exercise their option for next season on running back Adrian Peterson, who would have made $18 million – by far the most in the league for a player at his position. Associated Press/Andy Clayton-King

The Vikings left the door open for Peterson to return to the team that drafted him in 2007 with the seventh overall pick, only at a much lower price. The fact that they announced their decision nine days before the deadline was an indication that little dialogue about a new deal has taken place. General Manager Rick Spielman said last week he hadn’t spoken to Peterson or his agents.

“Adrian is an important part of the Minnesota Vikings organization,” Spielman said Tuesday. “We will continue to have conversations with his representatives and leave our future options open while determining what is best for both parties moving forward.”

GIANTS: In a move that shows he has recovered from a serious hand injury sustained in a fireworks accident in 2015, the team placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

It marked the second time in three years the Giants placed the tag on Pierre-Paul. The other time was in 2015, but the 2010 first-round pick never signed his $14 million tender. It was ultimately withdrawn by the team after the July accident that mangled his right hand, resulting in his index finger being amputated and other fingers being mushroomed at their tips.

CHIEFS: Kansas City released four-time Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles, clearing more than $6 million in salary-cap space.

Charles missed the start of last season after having surgery to repair a second torn ACL. He returned to play in three games, carrying 12 times for 40 yards with a touchdown.

• The Chiefs are finalizing a $78 million, six-year deal with Eric Berry that will make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said.

• The Chiefs signed offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to a five-year contract extension, locking up the former sixth-round pick before he reaches free agency next season.

AFTER MISSING a court-ordered deadline, quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared before a judge in Cleveland and promised to meet the stipulations required to get his domestic violence case dismissed while saying his distrust of the NFL played a part in the delay.

BROWNS: Punter Britton Colquitt agreed to a four-year contract extension.

THE NFL is considering making referees full-time employees and centralizing replay review at its New York headquarters as it aims for more consistent, shorter games.

WASHINGTON: Quarterback Kirk Cousins’ agent said the team placed the exclusive franchise tag on Cousins.

Agent Mike McCartney tweeted the news, one day before the deadline for teams to assign tags.

COLTS: Defensive lineman David Parry was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, on suspicion of assaulting the driver of a motorized cart, and then stealing and crashing the vehicle.

RAIDERS: The investment group seeking to build a new stadium to keep the team in Oakland submitted a formal plan to the NFL for the first time.

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