Running back Adrian Peterson spent most of the offseason looking for work until the Washington Redskins called his number and signed him to a one-year deal. The deal ensured Peterson a chance this year to add to his career numbers, beginning this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals on the road. Also, it gave him a shot at getting closer to the top position of the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list which is currently held by Emmitt Smith.
At the moment, Peterson is 12th all-time with 12.276 rushing yards, but he can break into the top 10 as early as Week 1 of this season, as he’s only 37 rushing yards short of supplanting Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown (12,312 rushing yards) at the 10th spot. Peterson is also just three rushing yards away from overtaking Marshall Faulk (12,279) at the 11th place on the list.
Peterson, however, has grander dreams than that. In a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the former NFL Most Valuable Player said that he’s also setting his sights on overtaking Emmitt Smith atop the list (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk).
“Who knows? I’ve seen crazier things happen,” Peterson said. “In my mind, that’s a goal I’d still like to reach. I know it would take a heckuva feat to do that especially how the NFL treats older backs. God willing, I’m able to continue to change that view and have opportunities to come out and play.”
It’s a long shot for Peterson to do that, as he’s over 6,000 yards away from breaking Smith’s record. Smith, who played from 1990-2004. The veteran back still has a long way to go to achieve that feat.
In order to put this feat into perspective, two of the best running backs in the game, Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley, currently have odds on BetOnline.ag that favor them to rush for less than 1,400 yards this season. Those are two elite backs compared to Peterson who only recently signed with Washington and is on the downside of his career at 33.
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