Adrian Peterson is still processing his release from the Washington Football Team. Washington released the 2012 NFL MVP Friday morning after two seasons there.
“I know it had nothing to do with the ability or inability to run the design offense because I put it on film that I could and did it,” Peterson told Washington’s Sr. VP of Media Julie Donaldson. “I’m lost for words because I don’t quite understand! I’m still wrapping my mind around it all.”
Peterson was a late preseason addition to Washington in 2018 after injuries across the running back position. Peterson would assume Washington’s featured back, leading the team in rushing each of the past two seasons, totaling 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns.
With the release of Derrius Guice early in training camp, it appeared Peterson would enter his third season as the lead back in Washington. He expressed his desire to remain in Washington for five more years.
But as training camp progressed, rookie running back Antonio Gibson emerged. Gibson received a “fair amount” of first-team reps the past week. Additionally, JD McKissic has seemingly settled in as the third-down back. Washington also has Bryce Love and veteran Peyton Barber.
Despite Peterson’s past production, he didn’t seem to be an ideal fit new offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s system. Coupled with the fact Washington doesn’t have the same quality of depth at other positions, specifically offensive line, Peterson’s release became part of a numbers game.
Washington recently acquired offensive tackle David Sharpe from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade.
Peterson now is afforded the opportunity to find a better fit elsewhere. At 35 years of age, Peterson is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 14,216 yards. He is 1,053 yards behind Barry Sanders for fourth.
