They say that Arizona is the perfect spot for those who wish to retire, when they reach retirement age. In the case of 32-year-old running back Adrian Peterson, could this be his final spot.
Peterson, who came over via trade for a conditional draft pick from the New Orleans Saints, after signing with them in free agency, had 27 rushes, for a measly 81 yards.
The third back behind Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara, Peterson seemed the odd man out in what was a very crowded Saints backfield. Now out in Arizona, he’ll join one of the oldest offenses in the league in the form of 37-year-old quarterback Carson Palmer, 34-year-old wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and 32-year-old running back in Chris Johnson.
Yes, David Johnson is a young buck, per se, but you get where I’m going, right?
Once one of the leagues premier runners during his brilliant eight-year career with the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota drafted Dalvin Cook out of Florida State and signed former Oakland Raiders tailback, Latavius Murray, which all but made Peterson expendable.
Sadly, thanks to the stacked defenses in the NFC West in the form of the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and up-and-coming San Francisco 49ers, Peterson may not have much of an impact in Arizona.
This is not to disrespect Peterson and his greatness, but at 32—two years over the expiration date of all NFL running backs—he just doesn’t have that explosiveness that once made him one of the most feared players in the game. Unless he can somehow channel his 2008-10 versions of himself, then maybe AP will have somewhat of an impact in Arizona, but sadly this is the 2017 version, which is older and nearing the end of his prime Peterson.
I think this is a bad fit for both sides, and sadly, I sense that this may also be the last time we see the future Hall of Famer on an NFL football field again.