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Redskins Adrian Peterson balancing line between competition, assistance

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 22: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 22: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro, and  the NFL MVP selection from the 2012 season. But even so, nothing is a given for Redskins RB Adrian Peterson.

Adrian Peterson, who recently turned 35 years old, is entering a Washington Redskins running back room that’s now seven strong, inhabited by veterans such as Peyton Barber, Josh Ferguson, and J.D. McKissic, young guns such as Derrius Guice and Bryce Love, and rookie hybrid player Antonio Gibson.

There’s no pecking order in the Redskins’ running back room; some players might have more experience, and others might have more long-term potential, but at this point, no one can say with confidence that they’ve run away with the job. Peterson has the resume to back up his case, but at some point, age will catch up with him, and that naturally clouds his outlook.

With that being said, Peterson isn’t worried about what the future might hold, because with the Redskins in 2020, he has a unique opportunity to remain competitive, while also providing mentorship to players who not only value his insight, but likely idolized him less than a decade ago.

“That’s what it’s all about, guys pushing each other. I will embrace it the same way. You’ve got to lace [your cleats] up and get out there and execute and produce at the end of the day,” Peterson said in a Redskins.com article by Zach Selby. “I want to see those guys prosper, I want to see those guys take their game to the max, to their potential. I’m not that guy that’s going to withhold something, to get myself an edge. A lot of these guys look up to me and still do at a young age. I’m going to do my part.”

Peterson’s mindset provides some evidence as to why re-signing him for the season was one of the first roster moves made by the regime headed by Ron Rivera and Kyle Smith. Peterson is a valuable veteran mentor at a position of obscurity, and he also has enough short-term utility to hold the fort if no other options inspire through training camp.

Next. An in-depth look at the Redskins quarterbacks in 2020. dark

Peterson’s ready to get back to work, and ready for whatever that entails.

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