The Minnesota Vikings are in a position where they need to find a quarterback.

They also need to make certain their running back doesn’t go anywhere.

Personnel boss Rick Spielman said Thursday that something needs to be done with Peterson once the owners and players can hash out a new collective bargaining agreement. Peterson is angling for a lucrative long-term extension and the Vikings are probably going to have to give him just that.

According to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Peterson has a base salary of $10.72 million in 2011, the final year of his rookie contract because the 2012 year in the deal will void. Per the report, his cap number for this season is expected to be $12.775 million.

“We'll continue to look at that, and Adrian is a vital key of our football team and the face of the organization," Spielman said, per Zulgad. "So, we'll address (his contract) when the time is right.”

The only way the team is going to lower that base salary for this season will be to sign him for the long haul.

Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune