The Minnesota Vikings chose not to exercise their option on the contract of running back Adrian Peterson and allowed the former NFL rushing leader to hit the NFL free agent market. However, after the first few days passed, Peterson is still a free agent. ESPN reported that the Seattle Seahawks will work out Adrian on Sunday.
The Seattle Seahawks need for a running back
The Seattle Seahawks were contending for the Super Bowl every season when they had Marshawn Lynch as their top running back. However, after an injury-plagued 2015 NFL season, Lynch retired from the NFL and the Seahawks were left without their franchise leading running back.
In 2016, Christine Michael led the Seahawks in rushing with only 469 yards and six touchdowns but most of that was with the Green Bay Packers, who released him midway through the season. Thomas Rawls was the actual starting running back in Seattle but only eclipsed 100 yards once in the regular season. He did run for 161 yards in the playoff win over the Detroit Lions but he did nothing to prove he was ready to replace Lynch. The Seahawks desperately need a franchise-caliber running back to get back to the Super Bowl. Adrian Peterson could be that player.
Adrian Peterson and his NFL future
Adrian Peterson is a huge question mark this offseason. He ran for over 1,000 yards in six of his first seven seasons, including running for 2,097 yards in 2012, the second most of any running back in NFL history.
He tore his ACL in 2014 and returned the next year to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also did that at the age of 30, past the expiration date for most NFL running backs.
In 2016, Peterson struggled through injuries and only played in three games, running for 37 yards. However, if Adrian proved anything in 2015, it is that no one should count him out.
Peterson will be 32 when the 2017 NFL season starts but is in better shape than most people much younger than him. He has proven to be a physical beast and will want to prove himself. In an offense that includes quarterback Russell Wilson, this could be the best chance Adrian has of winning a Super Bowl since he came into the NFL. It could be a win-win for the Seattle Seahawks and Adrian Peterson.
