Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson has defied the odds. At the age 35, Peterson is entering his 14th season in the NFL. And he has no intentions to stop playing any time soon.
Peterson told TMZ Sports he wants to play four more seasons in the NFL.
“Man, why not four more years? Why not?”
Four years from now, Peterson will be 39 years old.
Peterson has revitalized his career in Washington. He was outcast from the NFL after a disappointing 2017 season. He started that season with the Saints, but being the odd man out of their backfield rotation. Peterson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals to finish the season.
The Redskins turned to him in 2018 following a string of injuries at running back, particularly Derrius Guice. Peterson led the Redskins with 1,042 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns. Despite being inactive the first game of 2019, Peterson led the Redskins in rushing for a second straight season with 898 yards.
A future hall of famer, Peterson has thrived over the past two seasons. Peterson leaped from 13th to fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list. He still has the drive and certainly looks the part to continue to play at a high level. Peterson is becoming of the Tom Brady of running backs. Each season of success adds to an already impressive resume.
Peterson feels he has a lot to prove, offer and accomplish on the field.
“I don’t want to ever be in a position where I look back and I say, ‘Man I should’ve played two more years, I should’ve played another year.’ I’m still chasing a championship and I still can play the game at a high level.”
Peterson enters this season at the top of the depth chart even with the return of Guice and a crowded but potentially loaded backfield. If he is to lead Washington in rushing a third straight year, he must rise above competition from Guice, JD McKissic, Peyton Barber and rookie Antonio Gibson.
From the moment Peterson first landed in Washington, he has proved to be a physical specimen, fending off Father Time. Being south of 30 years of age usually signifies the conclusion of running backs’ careers. Not Peterson.
The Redskins are in a rebuild situation after hiring Ron Rivera in January to be the head coach. Rivera is looking for a players to prove themselves valuable in his first season. Peterson will have to continue to excel to prove worthy to Rivera.
If Peterson is capable of duplicating the type of seasons he’s had in Washington, playing four more seasons won’t be out of the question. That’s even if it’s not with the Redskins.
