Recent Ring of Honor inductee and legendary Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson had quite the career in the Twin Cities.
He is the Vikings’ all-time leader in many different metrics.
- Rushing yards (11,747)
- Rushing TDs (97)
- Rushing attempts (2,418)
- Rushing yards per game (95.5)
Peterson carried the Vikings’ offense in the early 2010’s through the post-Childress era. He won the MVP Award in 2012, becoming the last non-QB to do so. Peterson is also the only non-QB to win the award since 2006 when LaDanian Tomlinson took home of the honors.
“All Day” was a prominent figure during the early Mike Zimmer years, playing under him from 2014-2016. He even led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2015 under Zimmer.
Adrian would leave after the 2016 season, and he didn’t hold back on Mike Zimmer regarding his exit.
Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson Blasts Mike Zimmer
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 20: Teddy Bridgewater #5 hands off the ball to Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings against the Chicago Bears in the first quarter on December 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Adam Patrick of The Viking Age recently compiled together the honest words from Adrian Peterson. These were given on the Ed Block CourageCast.
“When I left, me and [head coach Mike Zimmer] kind of [butted] heads a little bit because I just felt disrespected.
…Honestly, just leaving there, I just felt disrespected by the head coach in particular. Not the organization or anything like that, it was just the head coach.
Me and him had a few words, respectfully, but I was just like, ‘Alright, it’s probably best for me to do something different.’”
Peterson then shared some words about an interaction between he and Zimmer in late 2016 after Adrian decided that it was best for the team if he sat out for the final two weeks of the season after a rough Week 15 from an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 2.
“He said a couple of words, he said some things that I felt [were] disrespectful. [He] challenged me as far as being a competitor and just my whole being.”
It was an interesting peek behind the curtain from a Vikings legend on the Vikings’ most recent head coach before Kevin O’Connell.
Minnesota Mentioned as Fit For Joey Bosa
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 14: Joey Bosa #97 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report recently mentioned the Vikings as a potential landing spot for Joey Bosa.
“Joey Bosa’s best football may be behind him, but any concerns about the edge-rusher’s ability to perform at a high level can be put to rest following the rejuvenating season he just had with the Buffalo Bills…
Whether a team plans to use him as a rotational depth option or a higher-volume starter, Bosa still provides enough speed, power and skill to move the needle for any defense ahead of his 11th NFL season.
Potential Landing Spots: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers”.
Bosa will be 31 by the time the 2026 season kicks off, and he may have some gas left in the tank.
Vikings Legend Adrian Peterson Blasts Former HC Mike Zimmer