Adrian Peterson holding out hope for one last NFL chance
Adrian Peterson isn’t ready to give up yet.
The 38-year-old running back, who last played in 2021, indicated he wants to play this season if anyone will have him.
“Mentally, I haven’t officially hung it up. We’ll see what happens,” Peterson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “My mindset is: If God’s willing maybe an opportunity presents itself and maybe it happens this season. I’ll go from there. But nothing happens this season, for sure I will be hanging it up.”
Peterson has played for six different teams since 2017, the last being the Seattle Seahawks, and went unsigned last offseason.
He was arrested in May 2022 following an alleged altercation with his wife at Los Angeles International Airport, agreeing to 20 sessions of domestic violence and alcohol counseling as a result.
Peterson was also the subject of family violence controversy during his career, getting suspended or being on the exempt list for all but one game in the 2014 season after a charge of abusing his then-4-year-old son.
Despite violations to the league’s personal conduct rules, Peterson is set to be in the Hall of Fame. Getty Images
It is a foregone conclusion, however, that he will be in the Hall of Fame, with four All-Pro seasons with the Vikings, an MVP Award and three times leading the league in rushing yards.
Peterson’s 14,918 career rushing yards rank fifth all-time and he is the Vikings’ franchise leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Playing in 2023 would make him the second-oldest running back to take a snap since the 1970 merger.
38-year-old Adrian Peterson looking to play another season in the NFL. Getty Images
Peterson celebrates a touchdown in 2020 while playing for the Detroit Lions. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Whether that is a realistic proposition, though, is an open question.
There are teams in need of a running back, but bringing in Peterson could be a risky move without a guaranteed payoff, given his age and lack of reps.
The pedigree, however, is obviously there.
Whether that is enough to convince anyone remains to be seen.
Source: New York Post
