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Adrian Peterson surprised Vikings landed quarterback Sam Bradford

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Did the Vikings make the smart decision with Bradford? (1:46)

Michael Smith and Jemele Hill try to make sense of the Sam Bradford trade and wonder if the Viking's had better options. (1:46)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- When Adrian Peterson was talking with his teammates about which quarterbacks the Minnesota Vikings could acquire, Sam Bradford's name wasn't on the list. One could also assume Bradford wasn't one of the suggestions Peterson texted to general manager Rick Spielman, simply because he didn't think his former University of Oklahoma teammate would be available.

"I didn't see that coming," Peterson said. "We knew he was down in Philadelphia, and (we) didn't see that happening. I tip my hat to our GM, Rick Spielman. He did a great job of bringing a guy in that can contribute."

The Vikings still haven't said whether it will be Bradford or Shaun Hill starting for the team on Sunday in the regular-season opener against Tennessee, but after the Vikings sent a 2017 first-round pick and a conditional fourth-rounder to the Eagles for Bradford on Saturday, it isn't hard to surmise the quarterback will be on the field soon. Peterson found out the news while he was in Houston, watching his alma mater play the University of Houston on Saturday. When a reporter told him the Vikings had acquired Bradford, Peterson said his initial reaction was excitement.

"They're looking out for the best interests of this team," Peterson said. "We have faith in Shaun and what he's able to bring, as well, but it's always good to have another guy that can contribute and is talented."

After the Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater to a dislocated left knee and torn ACL Aug. 30, Peterson was one of several players to visit the quarterback in the hospital that night. After what the running back called an emotional roller coaster of a week, the Vikings' attention turned to finding help at quarterback, which is when Peterson texted Spielman.

"I'm always trying to be in the mix and give my opinion on guys I think you should bring in," Peterson said. "He told me, 'Hey, we're going to do what's best for the team. That's the last thing you have to worry about.' I'm like, 'Alright, I know you guys are going to do that, based off what you guys have done here the last couple years, drafting guys and bringing guys in as well.' I left it at that, and he proved to be telling the truth."

The running back remembered Bradford as a quiet redshirt freshman who "didn't say too much" at the University of Oklahoma, but Bradford's arm strength quickly stood out to Peterson, to the point he was hoping Bradford would be the starting quarterback during the 2006 season (Peterson's last with the Sooners).

"He looks young now, but he looked like a little kid then," Peterson said. "I remember watching him and seeing him throw in practice, and I knew he was going to be good. I wish they could have put him out there for my last year to help us out a little bit. They didn't do it, but it worked out for him there at Oklahoma. He had a great career."

The Vikings will use their 12th different starting quarterback in Peterson's 10 years with the team on Sunday against the Titans, and Peterson's presence figures to be a big part of the team's game plan as the Vikings break in their new quarterback.

He had just 10 carries for 31 yards in the Vikings' season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers last year, and looking back on it Thursday, Peterson recalled his conditioning wasn't as sharp as he needed it to be before the 2015 opener. He ran a series of sprints before the Vikings' next game against the Detroit Lions, during which he carried 29 times for 134 yards and gained another 58 yards on two catches. This year, Peterson said, his conditioning is where he wants it to be -- and he offered what sounded like a slogan that played off his nickname.

"That's the big difference going into this week," he said. "My legs are fresh. I've been making sure that I've been getting my conditioning in. So I'll be ready to run all day."