Adrian Peterson Released By The Washington Football Team
Less than a week before the NFL season kicks off, Adrian Peterson is on the hunt for a new team. The Washington Football Team announced via Twitter on Friday morning that the running back had been cut. The franchise is currently trying to get down to its roster limit ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports reported that Peterson made it clear he will not be retiring and that he intends to look for another team to play for in 2020. Edwards opined that one of the reasons Peterson was released might have been that he was slated to make $3.2 million in 2020 as he played out a two-year contract.
The back thought he would be entering his third campaign with Washington. It appears the club, formerly known as the Redskins, arrived at the decision relatively recently. On Thursday, its Instagram account featured a picture of Peterson cradling a ball. The post made it clear the future Hall-of-Famer was ready to get going on his 14th season.
Seventeen hours later, the same account issued a post saying goodbye to him.
Peterson came to the nation’s capital before the 2018 season, after splitting the previous year between the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints. Before that, he spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for at least 1,298 yards in each of his first four years in the NFL.
In 2012, he had a truly standout season, running for over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes, a near career-high.
While there were some analysts who believed Peterson’s career was over in 2017, he’s been productive with the former Redskins. He was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2018 and amassed nearly 900 yards in 2019.
Edwards wrote that most around the league felt as though he would get the starting nod this fall after the franchise cut Derrius Guice earlier this summer when he was charged for domestic violence. Instead, Edwards posited that they will likely hand the job to third-round pick Antonio Gibson. The Memphis grad has reportedly impressed coaches in training camp.
The club also has Bryce Love on the roster, their 2019 pick, and has invested time and money in J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber.
The analyst said that while Peterson might want to play in 2020, at this point, it will be difficult for him to find a job that allows him much playing time. With the rest of the league also looking to cut down their roster to 53 by Saturday afternoon, the fifth-placed rusher on the NFL’s all-time leaders list is facing quite a challenge.
