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A decimated running back group made the Washington Redskins seemingly a perfect fit for the aging Adrian Peterson. After his first practice with his new team, it’s clear his aura brings excitement to any team. Competition is back in a group that on paper started training camp as the most competitive in the NFL. And while Robert Kelley still appears to be the Redskins’ top running back, the former all-pro Peterson made it clear that he won’t just settle for a role in Washington.
Peterson said while talking to reporters “without a doubt” he wants to be the Redskins’ starting running back Week 1 of the regular season.
“I’d be cheating myself if that wasn’t my approach,” the 2012 NFL MVP said per John Keim of ESPN.
Peterson signed a one-year deal with the Redskins on Monday that is worth the league’s veteran minimum per Field Yates of ESPN.
Source: Adrian Peterson's one-year deal with the Redskins is for $1.015M, the veteran's minimum for a player of his tenure. He'll count just $630,000 against the cap as a minimum salary benefit player.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 21, 2018
The Redskins started training camp with a great fleet of running backs that included 2018 second-round draft pick Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, the team’s 2017 leading rusher Samaje Perine, Kapri Bibbs, and Byron Marshall to go with Kelley. Unfortunately, Guice tore his ACL in the Redskins’ preseason opener and both Perine and Marshall suffered ankle injuries the following week’s game that could put both in danger of being ready for Week 1, depending on the source. They also lost undrafted rookie Martez Carter.
At the very least, the Redskins needed to add a body at running back to ease the reps of the established backs in the final two preseason games ahead. However, adding Peterson puts intrigue into the makeup of the position for the Redskins going forward.
To be fair, Peterson added he was focused on being a great teammate and willing to helping the young players saying “whatever you ask, I’m willing to do,” per JP Finley of NBC Sports Washington. Still, there is no doubt his presence can at least push and motivate Kelley, Bibbs, and Perine to get better in their approach to stave off the savvy veteran.
