It’s not a sure thing just yet, but the Redskins are likely to exercise Adrian Peterson‘s option for the 2020 season, according to a source that spoke with ESPN.com’s John Keim. If the option is triggered, Peterson will count for a $3.1MM cap hit. If they decline it, they’ll save $2.4MM.
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Despite his advanced age, Peterson has been one of the Redskins’ most durable players in recent seasons. That’s key, especially given the question marks surrounding the health of Derrius Guice. The LSU product is immensely talented, but he’s undergone three knee surgeries over the last couple of years.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Redskins’ RB room is in flux – pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson is ticketed for free agency and 2019 fourth-round pick Bryce Love has yet to play thanks to a pre-draft ACL tear.
Peterson, a four-time first-team All-Pro, has averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry for the Redskins. He’s also racked up quite an odometer – Peterson has carried the ball 3,036 times over the course of 13 seasons. In March, he’ll celebrate his 35th birthday, though he has expressed a desire to play up until the age of 40.
Currently fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, Peterson is 1,000 yards shy of toppling Barry Sanders for No. 4.
Does AP go into Canton as a Viking? He had one heck of a career there, but has carried it over for a few more seasons on different teams.
It was cool of Minnesota to recognize him last year during the Skins-Vikes game.
Of course he goes in as a Viking.
I’d think so, but he’s breaking records in a Skins uniform and Dan would be willing to pay anything for good publicity & adding a HoF would help.
This isn’t even a question. He 100% goes as a Viking.
No man, he goes in as Saint…. smh
AD at 35 is still better than anything else the skins have on their roster at RB. If Guice even crosses your mind, that dude is weaker than a wet paper bag.
Love seeing AD outwork dudes over 10 years younger than him.
AD!….All Decade lol…its true tho
Guice will be a beast this year … I see him as a sleeper to be a top 5 back next year.
Really? Guice has go to beat the injury bug to make me a believer… DRAFT better guys!
Two injured running backs in two years (Guice and Love). Yet to see any dividends on this strategy. Jay Gruden finished his relationship with most Redskins fans when he didn’t dress AD in game three and announced “From here, the offense goes through Derrius Guice.” Who promptly was injured again on his third play from scrimmage. And didn’t play again in 2019.
Adrian Peterson will run like a man possessed until he hits at least Barry Sanders mark. Another season with a HOFer in the backfield sounds good to me. John Riggins was breaking records as a Redskin after 35 as well.
Don’t count on AD’s body holding up. Age is gonna hit him like a switch.
AD will be just fine until he’s injured again. And then at his age, he won’t be back. It will take too long to get back to 100%. My realistic expectation is another around 1000 yard season (if he’s given the carries) followed by either retirement (fatigue) or another 500 to 700 yard season. At that point, AD will be done as he will still be better than many backup running backs but no team will want to keep a HOFer with no upside and who will be unhappy with his share of playing time. Peterson will understand the situation this time and leave the game with grace.
In the meantime, there’s no reason for the Redskins to deprive themselves for next season of a locker room leader and a 1000 year/year running back.
It’s tough to watch future HOFs like Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson close out their careers on teams that are bottom feeders. Wish they could get a final playoff appearance like Frank Gore did with the Bills this season.