Getty Redskins RB Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson has 14,216 career rushing yards, fifth all-time in the NFL. He is now a free agent.
The Washington Football Team waived their presumptive starting running back as the team looks to get younger at the position, mainly with Antonio Gibson and Bryce Love. Washington also has J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber on the roster.
Peterson, who turned 35 in March, showed he had something left in the tank last year after rushing for 898 yards and five touchdowns. He had 1,940 yards and 12 scores in his two seasons in D.C.
If the Eagles wanted to add the perfect complement to Miles Sanders — a veteran power rusher who can break tackles in the red zone — then there is no better option than the future Hall of Famer. Peterson wants a Super Bowl ring.
“I feel like I have a lot left in the tank,” Peterson told the Washington Post after last season. “Just hungry, continue to get better, and continue to chase that championship.”
The Eagles already laid the groundwork for adding Peterson when the team released three running backs on Thursday, including Elijah Holyfield, Adrian Killins, and Michael Warren. Holyfield was the front-runner to win the fourth running back spot in Philly. Now the Eagles are down to just three rushers on their roster: Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement. Of course, the team continues to pound the drum that they are good at that spot.
Of course, the team continues to pound the drum that they are good at that spot. Running backs coach Duce Staley has said it multiple times this offseason and head coach Doug Pederson reiterated it on Monday.
“I think we have good backs,” Staley told reporters on Aug. 19. “I think that Miles can do it all, and when you have a guy like Miles that can make people miss, that can lower his shoulder and also run you over, you want to put the ball in his hands as much as possible and you trust him. I think that’s what we are. We have Corey, we have Boston, we have a cast of younger guys, also, and we’ll see what they can do here shortly.”
The news from @gmfb: Washington releases Adrian Peterson
Two important notes: the Eagles kept four running backs in 2019, plus Philly avoids seeing Peterson in Week 1 since Washington is their opponent.
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Peterson Beast in Red Zone Situations
Peterson, seventh overall pick of Minnesota in 2007, has been an absolute beast in the red zone since bursting on the scene. He has racked up 981 yards and 82 touchdowns when he’s been within striking distance of six points, plus 114 first downs on 418 total carries. He wouldn’t just keep Sanders’ legs fresh in Philly, he would jump-start the entire offense.
In addition to his red-zone prowess, Peterson is a complete back and one of the greatest to ever do it. In 14 NFL seasons, he has accumulated 14,216 rushing yards (fifth all-time) and 117 total touchdowns. He was the league’s rushing champion three times (2008, 2012, 2015) while earning first-team All-Pro on four occassions and making seven Pro Bowl appearances.
Peterson has gone on record saying he has two goals left on his bucket list: to win a Super Bowl ring and to pass Emmitt Smith for first place on the all-time rushing list. The 35-year-old is 4,140 yards away from the latter.
“That’s one of the goals I set to myself when I entered the NFL was to pass the GOAT,” Peterson said of Smith, via USA Today. “I look forward to playing a couple more years, 3-4 more years, who knows, depending on how my body is feeling.”
25. A SICK RUN
Sept. 13, 2009
Adrian Peterson stiff arms and shoves his way through the Browns defense for a 64-yard TD run.
Factoid: Peterson, who finished with 180 yards and three TDs, vomited at halftime and got pumped with IVs while blood gushed from his left forearm.
NFL.com writer Bucky Brooks wrote the following about Peterson’s aggressive running style in an article from 2015. While it’s true the veteran running has slowed down in his advanced age, his take-no-prisoners approach hasn’t changed. He’s still a power back in every sense of the word.
“Peterson’s rugged running style and ferocious intensity make him nearly impossible to bring down in one-on-one situations,” Brooks wrote in 2015, via Tulsa World. “Moreover, he is an electric runner with a knack for finding paydirt when handed the ball in critical situations. Given the explosive potential of the Vikings’ offense in 2015, Peterson should see plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the paint.”
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