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In a surprise move, Washington Football Team has released their veteran running back Adrian Peterson, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero confirmed on Friday.
The move to cut Peterson comes as a big surprise. The thirteen year NFL veteran was set to enter 2020 as Washington’s number one running back after an impressive 2019 which saw the vet run for 898 yards and five touchdowns. An admirable feat considering Peterson’s age of 35.
However, the descision to cut Peterson does open up a litany of opportunities for young tailback Antonio Gibson. Gibson, by all accounts, has had an eye-catching training camp. So much so that the former Memphis Tiger made one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL expendable.
Washington’s choice to opt for the younger, more versatile Gibson over the older, more powerful Peterson is a sign of the times. Gibson’s ability as a pass catcher makes his skillset far more valuable than Peterson’s traditional downhill thumper playstyle. The thing that made Peterson such a dangerous talent in 2009 is now the reason for his release from Washington.
However, as Peterson has shown in 2018 and in 2019, he is still capable of contributing on an NFL roster. But his age, as well as his playstyle, does make the list of potential teams limited. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three teams that could benefit from snatching up the future hall of famer.
Minnesota Vikings
A return home could be on the cards for the man formerly known as Purple Jesus. Some resentment has been bubbling under the surface in Minnesota as starting running back Dalvin Cook is angling for a pay rise. A pay rise that the Minnesota front office is unwilling to give Cook who has struggled with injuries in the past.
If the Vikings are looking for a body come late November/ December, they could do far worse than bringing home a legend. It would also be great fun to see Peterson play in this Gary Kubiak offence.
Chicago Bears
The image of Adrian Peterson standing on the sideline in a Bears uniform, on a cold December Sunday afternoon, just feels right. Although Peterson doesn’t totally fit the type of offence Matt Nagy wants to run in Chicago, the Bears aren’t exactly spoilt for choice at tailback. Especially since their number one back, David Montgomery, is expected to miss game time in 2020 with a groin injury.
Nagy would be wise to bring in Peterson’s veteran presence into the changing room. Either to act as a mentor for the young Montgomery or to act as a short-term alternative. With Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky under-centre, the Bears wouldn’t be too amiss to hand the ball off to AP a couple of times a game to ease the pressure on the quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders
This just feels like a Jon Gruden move. Similar to Chicago, the Raiders running back room (outside of Joshua Jacobs) leaves less than to be desired. Although Devonte Booker and Theo Riddick are good passing options out of the backfield, they fail to replicate the type of forceful, downhill running style that anchors this Vegas offence.
If Jacobs were to miss time with an injury or just need a breather, Peterson is more than capable of taking a few snaps behind that Raider offensive line. Also, just as Peterson would look great in a Bears uniform, the same can be said about the Raiders.
