Adrian Peterson is one of the greatest running backs the game of football has ever seen, and he's being tossed around from team to team like a hot potato.

Peterson was a first round pick selected by the Minnesota Vikings back in 2007 and not only went on to become the most successful running back in the franchise's history, but one of the best running backs the NFL has ever seen. In 2012 he rushed for 2,097 yards, averaging six yards per carry, and 12 touchdowns. His spectacular effort earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for that year. 

Following four more seasons with the Vikings, one of them plagued by an injury, Peterson would not resign with the team in order to pursue free agency and sign with another team. He would later decide to sign with the New Orleans Saints.

After the first five weeks of the season, however, Peterson grew frustrated with how little touches he was getting per game. News then broke that he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, and head coach Sean Payton explained why the organization decided to make the move (quotes via NFL.com):

"This was done just using common sense, and we had a chance to get a draft pick next year," Payton said, via 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.

"In my discussions yesterday with (Cardinals general manager) Steve Keim, it was like, 'Hey, this guy still has it, and here's what he does well and we've seen it,'" Payton said. "it's just a little crowded right now.

"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, and I'm happy that that opportunity has come up and we were able to make a trade," Payton said.

What are your thoughts on Payton's explanation as to why the Saints decided to trade Peterson to the Cardinals? Do you think he's a better fit for the Cardinals offensive system? And will Peterson get his long awaited touches that he has been campaigning for this season? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!

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