By John Sarianides
The Minnesota Vikings declined to pick up an $18 million dollar option on running back Adrian Peterson for next season. After 10 seasons in Minnesota, Peterson is going to be a free agent for the first time in his career.
Peterson only played in three games last season and rushed for 72 yards. The 31 year old Peterson is a shell of the player he was three years. Despite being in peak physical shape, age and injuries have caught up with Peterson.
Despite his age and physical issues, there will still be a market for Peterson. He will either end up back in Minnesota or find a new home. Here are five potential landing spots for Peterson.
1. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings want Peterson back and he wants to be back. Peterson stated a few weeks back that he would like to retire a Viking. If Peterson is willing to take less money in a re-structured, incentive loaded deal, there is a good chance he can end up back in the Twin Cities. The Vikings have to be the favorites to retain him as of right now.
2. New York Giants: The Giants have been mentioned as a possible destination for Peterson but they are not a good fit for him schematically. New York operates out of the shotgun roughly 70 % of the time. 11 personnel is head coach Ben McAdoo’s preferred personnel grouping. Peterson is a downhill runner who is better suited getting carries from under center. He would not be a great scheme fit for the Giants unless McAdoo went back to his West Coast offense roots and got under center more in 2017.
3. Oakland Raiders: With Latavius Murray a free agent, the Raiders could be in the market for a running back. Just like Murray, Peterson is a big, downhill runner who can push the pile and break long runs. Peterson is older than Murray and isn’t as good a receiver but he is a better finisher than him around the goal line and would be a good fit for a Raiders team that wants to pound the ball and take vertical shots down the field.
4. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks already have Thomas Rawls and C.J Prosise but Rawls is injury prone and Prosise is young and still learning the running back position. The Seahawks offense isn’t the same without Marshawn Lynch. Defenses are blitzinf Russell Wilson more and playing more six and seven man boxes.
Peterson would draw a lot of attention and take the pressure off of Wilson and the passing game. Veterans like playing for Pete Carroll so it wouldn’t surprise me if the Seahawks made a run at Peterson. The Seahawks offense would be a good fit for him schematically.
5. New England Patriots: I don’t see this happening but you never know. Bill Belichick doesn’t want to overpay to keep LeGarrette Blount and he has an affinity for veteran running backs (See Antwan Smith, Corey Dillon, Larry Centers etc.) Maybe he looks at Peterson as his O.J Anderson and takes signs him. Who knows? Peterson wants a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. The Patriots would give him the best chance. Stranger things have happened but I don’t see it.