Adrian Peterson was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010’s. The Washington Redskins’ running back was one of eight players unanimously elected for the team. While most of his resume stems from being with the Minnesota Vikings, it was the Redskins who gave Peterson an opportunity to strengthen his case and rewrite his legacy.
In 2018 as teams had closed training camp and focused on preseason, Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, was out of the league. He was 33 years of age and coming off three disastrous seasons in the a four-year stretch.
His 10-year stay with the Vikings came to a screeching halt in 2016 after he was limited to three games and a career-low 72 yards. Minnesota let him go into free agency. The 2,097-yard season in 2012 a distancing memory.
The three-time rushing leader landed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints before the 2017 season, however, their pact soured in the first month of the season.
Sean Payton’s single-back formation-heavy offense left Peterson behind Mark Ingram and then-rookie Alvin Kamara on the depth chart. He was ultimately traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Peterson received his touches but his production was limited, rushing for 448 yards on 129 carries in six games.
Heading into the 2018 season, Peterson wasn’t on any team’s roster. It appeared Father Time had caught up with the future hall of famer.
But, one man’s loss is another’s gain.
The Redskins were decimated by injuries at running back, capped by rookie Derrius Guice tearing his ACL in the first preseason game. The Redskins searched free agency for a quick replacement. Jamaal Charles and Orleans Darkwa were among those brought in for a workout, including Peterson.
Ultimately, Peterson impressed Jay Gruden and his staff. A mere couple of weeks before the season, the once aging Peterson looked ageless, besting the remaining healthy and younger running backs to become the Redskins starter.
Peterson carried the Redskins on his back — alongside quarterback Alex Smith — to a 5-2 start. The season got flipped upside down with Smith’s career-threatening leg injury, as Washington finished with a 7-9 record. Yet, Peterson continued to shine. He led the team in rushing with 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns — both his best since 2015 when he led the NFL in both categories.
Peterson was the Redskins’ MVP. His career rejuvenated.
However, Gruden wasn’t impressed enough. Wanting to open the playbook more and with Guice returning, Peterson was benched to start the 2019 season. Unfortunately, Guice was once again injured, this time in the season-opener, with a torn meniscus.
Peterson was forced back into the featured running back role at 34 years of age. While limited, it was as if he found the Fountain of Youth, once again.
Peterson led the team in rushing for a second straight season. He gained 898 yards and five touchdowns despite Gruden being fired and the Redskins’ passing offense being handicapped by interim head coach Bill Callahan’s retro offense.
In two seasons with the Redskins, Peterson gained 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. In the process, he has leapfrogged from 13th to fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list and from 10th to fourth in all-time rushing touchdowns.
For the decade, Peterson’s 71 rushing touchdowns was most by any player in the league. His 9,732 rushing yards were the third behind LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore.
What a difference the two seasons with the Redskins. Sure, Peterson was already a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he possibly would have made the All-Decade Team regardless. But, his resurgence with the Redskins helped push his numbers into elite status, refreshed voters on his resume, and most importantly rewrote the narrative on his storied career.
Now the 35-year old is ready to embark on his 14th season, presumably the lead back for the Redskins once again. He is still rewriting his final chapter.
