But he could trigger a $250,000 incentive in his contract Friday if he is named the league's most valuable player.

Already one of the NFL's most popular players, Peterson signed a five-year contract before last season, his rookie year. Factored into the deal were numerous escalators and incentives that could push the total value of the contract to $40.5 million. Peterson's immediate success has triggered close to $11.5 million in escalators at the back end of his deal.

Some of the bonuses were routine, including:

A $3.9 million escalator for the 2011 season for topping 701 rushing yards as a rookie. He has yet to achieve a $1 million bonus for scoring 20 touchdowns or rushing for 2,000 yards in a regular season.

By rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, Peterson tacked on $2.5 million to his 2010 base salary, and he added $1 million to his 2011 compensation by rushing for more than 1,300 yards this season.

The $250,000 MVP incentive can be earned multiple times, with each instance tacked on to his 2011 compensation. The higher his 2011 base salary gets, the more pressure Peterson puts on the team to rework his contract during or after the 2010 season.

That he plays one of the most injury-prone positions, though, could discourage the Vikings from being too proactive about an extension.

Peterson also can earn $250,000 for each time he wins Super Bowl MVP honors.

At least one well-known analyst cast his vote for Peterson for league MVP.

"He has no franchise quarterback. He has no Pro Bowl wide receiver," former MVP running back Marshall Faulk said Sunday on the NFL Network. "It's just him."