Phelan Ebenhack/Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston once again publicly praised free-agent running back Adrian Peterson, saying he would "absolutely" like to play with the former MVP.

"Absolutely," Winston told reporters when asked if he'd like Peterson as a teammate. "I don't know no one that wouldn't. Again, it's out of my league. I can only talk about how much I learned from him and how he helped me this offseason."

Peterson, 32, is a free agent for the first time in his career after the Minnesota Vikings declined his 2017 option. He and Winston worked out together in Houston earlier this offseason, and the quarterback described Peterson's work ethic as "eye-opening."

The Buccaneers' running back situation is in flux heading into 2017. Doug Martin returned following a stint in a rehabilitation center and is ostensibly listed as the team's starter. However, Tampa has no financial obligation to him for 2017 because a four-game drug suspension voided the $7 million guaranteed on his contract for next season.

The Bucs could cut Martin and sign Peterson at a lesser number. It's clear Winston came away from his meeting with Peterson impressed and even brought some Tampa receivers with him.

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"Getting [our receivers] around greatness, A.P. was able to work with us some," Winston said. "And just for them to be able to see what greatness is. It helps us. It helps build us. It helps motivate us to see a man so, a man that's Adrian Peterson and let our players get around him and just kind of feel his presence and grow."

Peterson is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him limited to three games. He rushed for a career-low 72 yards on 37 carries.

The history of older running backs who changed teams isn't great, but there isn't much holding back a Peterson-Tampa marriage. The Bucs can still draft a young running back in April and have him and Peterson split carries.

It also appeases their franchise quarterback a year ahead of when the two sides will likely start contract negotiations.

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