By John Sarianides

According to league sources, free agent running back Adrian Peterson has told those close to him that he is willing to take less money to play for the Patriots. Here are three reasons why he would be a bad fit for the Patriots.

1. He’s 31 and Beat Up: Peterson missed most of last season with a knee injury. He only carried the ball  37 carries for 72 yards. Peterson is clearly not the same back he was in 2015 when he rushed for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. Age and injuries are starting to catch up with him.

Peterson has averaged 19.7 carries per game in his career. Those days are over. Peterson is not a featured back anymore.  He needs to be in a time share situation where he gets 12-15 carries a game. Most of those carries would come on 1st and 10 and short yardage or goal line situation. The Patriots are a time share team but I am not sure Peterson would out produce a  younger back at this point in his career. 

2. Bad Scheme Fit: Peterson is not a good scheme fit for the Patriots. New England likes to play fast and use a lot of 11, 12 and 10 personnel. Peterson needs to play in a multiple offense that features a fullback and two back sets. That is where he is most effective. Unfortunately for Peterson, the Patriots don’t play in 21 personnel (2 RB’s, 2 WR’s and 1 TE) as much as they used to. 

Peterson can run out of one back sets but he isn’t as effective running out of the shotgun. He doesn’t move well laterally. 

Either way, the Patriots won’t cater the offense or the game planning to Peterson. They will cater it to Brady as always. 

3. Alpha Males Demand Touches: Adrian Peterson is an alpha male. He would play second fiddle to Tom Brady to a point and then his ego would get in the way. He would start wanting the ball more. 

Sure, Peterson wants to win a Super Bowl but he also wants to feel like he’s a part of a team. If he’s not getting touches and doing his part, Peterson could become a problem in the Patriots locker room. That wouldn’t fly in New England.

I still think Peterson’s best bet is a return to Minnesota. It is the place that he will get the most money and the most touches.