Adrian Peterson Eyeing Surpassing Barry Sanders in NFL Record Books
Star running back Adrian Peterson has put forth an illustrious career that has seen him catch a second wind with the Washington Redskins. Peterson has continued to prove that he can be a high-impact player well into his 30s, helping him move up in the all-time record books. It has added to what is a sure-fire Hall of Fame career as racks up more impressive feats to his resume. With that in mind, Peterson has his eyes on another record that involves Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
Adrian Peterson’s illustrious NFL career
Since entering the NFL in 2007, Peterson has put together an incredible career that has seen him earn recognition as one of the greatest running backs.
That has seen him rack up many numerous records along the way, setting several all-time marks with the Minnesota Vikings. He has put together eight seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards while guiding his way to fifth on the all-time rushing yards list and fourth in rushing touchdowns.
Despite dealing with injuries over the second half of his career, Peterson continues to make the most of his opportunities. That has seen him prove to be an ageless wonder with the Redskins over the last two seasons, including posting his eighth 1,000 rushing yard campaign in 2019 and added another solid year with 898 rushing yards last season.
There doesn’t appear to be any desire to walk away anytime soon, which could Peterson believes should allow him to pass another all-time great running back in the record books.
Adrian Peterson wants to surpass Barry Sanders
Over the previous two seasons, Peterson has racked up several impressive feats to his resume with the Redskins.
Among those was moving to fifth all-time on the rushing yards list surpassing Hall of Famer Curtis Martin. Peterson now has his eyes on moving ahead of Sanders on that list, possibly in the 2020 season, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
“That’s definitely one of the goals, passing Barry Sanders would definitely be one of the highlights of my career. What he accomplished, and how I’ve looked up to him, I’ve always wanted to say I did something better than Barry Sanders,” Peterson said on NFL Network.
Peterson is currently sitting 1,054 yards behind Sanders for that mark, which would require him to put forth his ninth 1,000 rushing yard campaign at age 35. Hall of Famer John Riggins holds the record for being at the oldest player to reach that feat at age 35.
It isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Still, it would mean that Peterson would need to garner the opportunity to be the leading option in the backfield that he shares with Derrius Guice and offseason addition Peyton Barber.
How much longer will Adrian Peterson play?
Beyond Peterson adding that feat to his resume, it more than likely will require him to play beyond next season.
The former Pro Bowler has remained quite committed to the game with a strong desire to play several more years. Peterson voiced back in April that he wanted to play in his 40s, which would mean he would have to play several more seasons to reach that mark.
All that will hinge on his ability to show that he can remain a high impact player regardless of the role that he receives from the Redskins or possibly another. If those opportunities are there, Peterson will undoubtedly continue to add to his already stacked resume.
