Adrian Peterson entered the NFL back in 2007 as the 7th overall pick for the Minnesota Vikings. The former Oklahoma Sooners running back set multiple rookie records during his debut season with the NFC North franchise. He finished the 2007 season as NFL Offensive Rookie Player of the Year.
After suffering ACL and MCL injuries in 2011, Peterson went on to win the NFL MVP award in 2012 while still playing for the Vikings.
After spells with New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Football Team, and Detroit Lions in 2020, Adrian Peterson is now a free agent and is looking forward to linking up with the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.
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Veteran RB Adrian Peterson the latest ‘big name’ to join the Buccaneers?
AP isn’t done trying to reach these milestones 😤
He wants to play until 40. pic.twitter.com/l6EpY0lLfU
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 16, 2021
At 36, Adrian Peterson still believes he has more to offer to the NFL. After leaving the Lions at the end of the 2020 season, Peterson is eyeing a move to Super Bowl LV champions Tampa Bay in the coming months.
He said, “I want to live to be a 40-year-old back out there rushing for 1,500 yards and amazing people still…I’m going to keep playing, trying to chase the championship and, God’s willing, within the process of doing that, I’m able to catch Emmitt and pass him.
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“I want to set the bar at a different level…Would it be a little harder to get to that 2,000 mark if you don’t have a role like a Derrick Henry?
“Yeah, but once you get out there and you’re balling and being productive that increases your attempts and your opportunities,” Peterson said earlier this week.
Peterson has 14,820 career rushing yards, earning him a 5th placed spot on the all-time list. He is currently 3,535 rushing yards behind the legendary Emmitt Smith. AP ran for 604 yards on 156 carries for the Lions in 2020.
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The last season he came close to 1,500 rushing yards came in 2015 when he ran for 1,485 yards on 327 carries while playing all 16 games for the Minnesota Vikings.
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