AP

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer recently went out of his way to express appreciation to running back Adrian Peterson. Zimmer’s gesture may have been influenced by the reality that the team’s passing game is giving him little for which to be thankful.

With plenty of talent and potential, the performance simply hasn’t been there. Rookie Stefon Diggs has cooled off considerably after a four-game hot start to his career, and last year’s flavor-of-the-moment Charles Johnson has become a forgotten man, with three total catches since Week Three.

Then there’s former first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson, who has been relegated primarily to kick-return duties. On NFL Network’s GameDay Morning, Michael Irvin said he was asked in the offseason by coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner to work with Patterson on running intermediate routes — and the importance of wanting the ball more than the defense in that territory.

Meanwhile, this year’s high-profile veteran arrival, Mike Wallace, has been a major disappointment. Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune takes a close look at what currently is the worst year of Wallace’s career. Among other things, Souhan points out that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has overthrown Wallace eight times this year, which means either that Bridgewater is missing Wallace or Wallace isn’t doing enough to go get the ball.

Regardless, with Wallace making $9.9 million this year and due to make $11.5 million in 2016, it’s looking like Wallace, barring a dramatic pay cut, will be one and done in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.