5 former Vikings who could return to the team in 2019
By Nik Edlund
Adrian Peterson – RB
Why not? Adrian Peterson is arguably the greatest running back in Vikings history and wouldn’t it be nice to see him close out his amazing career back with the team where it all started?
Some fans may not like this idea, but once Peterson would walk back through the door, they wouldn’t be able to help but be 100 percent on board with it.
The veteran running back had a resurgence with the Washington Redskins a season ago. He joined the Redskins last year after rookie Derrius Guice blew out his ACL in the preseason.
Peterson ended up doing typical Peterson things in 2018 as he defied his age and went on to rush for 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns.
What was even more impressive about his performance was that the Washington had next to no passing game last season. Opposing defenses knew the Redskins would be running the ball, but they still couldn’t stop the 33-year-old Peterson.
Minnesota does have a secondary need at running back this offseason. They are set with Dalvin Cook as their starter, but they could look to add a veteran instead of relying on second-year guys Mike Boone and Roc Thomas to be their backups.
Peterson and his aged body wouldn’t need to carry the load and he would be used just to relieve Cook for a couple of series per game. With Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen on the outside, it’s hard to imagine the veteran running back not being productive in the Vikings’ offense next season, even at his ripe old age.
Yes, Peterson has said some not-so-great things about Minnesota since he left, but that would all be water under the bridge if he was to be brought back for one last swan song.
He will more than likely sign a one-day retirement contract with the Vikings one day anyways. So why not just make it for one full season where he could actually get some meaningful yardage and make some more glorious purple memories inside U.S. Bank Stadium?
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(For more NFL Draft and Vikings-related content from Nik Edlund, head on over to SkolHole.com and check out his work.)