Adrian Peterson could remain in the NFL, if he puts his ego aside
By Adam Patrick
The former Minnesota Vikings running back is currently a free-agent after being recently released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Coming off the worst season of his career in 2017, it’s possible that Adrian Peterson’s time in the NFL could be over. Especially considering he will turn 33-years-old on March 21 and his time on the field last year was cut short by a season-ending neck injury.
Back in February when he was in Minnesota for the Super Bowl festivities, Peterson continued to reiterate that he has no intention to retire at this point in time.
"“I think I would want to play maybe four more years, four to five more years.”"
This isn’t the first time that the former Minnesota Vikings running back has said something like this. However, this goal of his seems just a little unattainable based on his lack of production and inability to stay healthy during his last two seasons.
Really, the only way Peterson would be able to remain in the league for even just another two years would be if he were able to put his gigantic ego to the side.
The former Vikings running back has continued to see himself as a top rusher in the NFL despite his underwhelming production in the last two seasons. But if he just sucked it up and put his ego aside, Peterson could possibly become a very useful second-string back for some team in the near future.
Minnesota Vikings
Given the amount of power he has been known to use when carrying the football, he could really be one of the best short-yardage situation backs in the league if he wanted.
It would be a way for Peterson to still continue his career in the NFL and also feel like a team is relying on his abilities.
Just imagine, the veteran running back on a team like the New England Patriots or the Dallas Cowboys and scoring 10 touchdowns on gains of five yards or less in 2018. It could actually be possible, but only if Peterson is finally able to accept that he is not the every-down back that he once was during his time in Minnesota.
Speaking of the Vikings, could he end up on the team’s roster for 2018? It doesn’t seem likely, but Minnesota will be in need of a backup running back if they are unable to get Latavius Murray to take a pay cut and end up releasing him.
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Peterson would likely be pretty cheap, but the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer would probably just be better off letting him sign elsewhere and avoid a new set of headaches from the veteran running back.