Redskins sign free agent RB Adrian Peterson to a deal

After a long search for a replacement running back, the Redskins have settled for seven-time Pro Bowler and former MVP Adrian Peterson.

“Former” is the key word there.

After losing Derrius Guice for the season to an ACL tear, the Washington Redskins running back room has quickly devolved into chaos. Chris Thompson, Byron Marshall and Samaje Perine are both dealing with week-to-week injuries, and Rob Kelley and Kapri Bibbs make for an interesting, but ultimately underwhelming tandem.

The Redskins, in addition to Peterson, hosted running backs such as Jamaal Charles and Orleans Darkwa. Both options provided some level of intrigue. Darkwa, at 26 years old, is coming off a career year with the Giants, and Charles, a former All-Pro running back with noted vision and speed, played with Redskins quarterback Alex Smith for a number of years.

Neither ultimately signed with the Redskins, however. Darkwa desired a starting job, something the Redskins apparently weren’t comfortable taking from Robert Kelley and Samaje Perine. And Charles, for all his past accolades, is a dangerous asset to rely on with his shodden knees. Instead, the Redskins went with former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, per Mike Garafolo. Peterson visited with the team today. Apparently, that visit went well.

On one hand, the Washington’s signing of Adrian Peterson makes sense. After losing second-round rookie Derrius Guice to an ACL tear earlier this month, the Redskins, who feel confident in their roster despite the loss of Guice, needed somewhat of a one-year stopgap at running back. In a vacuum, Peterson, an experienced runner with natural athleticism and vision, fills that role.

Delve deeper into the signing, however, and questions arise. At 33 years old, is Peterson still capable of consistent production? Will he be used the right way in Washington? He would be a decent compliment to Chris Thompson, but Jay Gruden likes Robert Kelley, and players like Samaje Perine and Kapri Bibbs won’t go quietly. The last time Peterson was in a running back committee, he was traded after four games. He won’t be given the lead role with the Redskins. How will he respond if he doesn’t get 20-plus carries a game?

If nothing else, the Washington’s signing of Peterson shows two things: It shows that the Redskins are still all-in on 2018. And it shows that Peterson impressed enough in today’s workout to convince the Redskins that he still has some gas left in the tank. Unfortunately for him, some people still need convincing. In the coming weeks, we’ll see how Peterson’s next chapter unfolds. Will he stick around for the season, and be the player needed to fill the void left by Guice’s injury? Or will he flame out? Time, as always, will yield the answer.