Adrian Peterson had a resurgence with the Washington Redskins in 2018. He played all 16 games and carried the ball 251 times for 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns. This earned him a two-year deal with Washington beginning in 2019.
Peterson was able to carry the load once again. He finished with 898 yards and five touchdowns this past season. The Redskins have a potential out in 2020, though. Peterson carries a $3.1 million cap hit next season and his future with the team beyond 2020 is unknown. He will certainly be in the Redskins' backfield next season for many reasons.
Derrius Guice has shown signs of being a monster when healthy, but that is the key phrase. Guice has not been healthy since entering the league. Peterson has stepped in and taken over in a big way. In 2019, the Redskins were working with a makeshift offensive line that featured names like Ereck Flowers and Donald Penn. What Peterson was able to do on the ground was extremely impressive.
Keeping Peterson around with an improved offensive line can be beneficial. The Redskins need to workout a ocntract for guard Brandon Scherff. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams might also return to the team after Washington hired a new trainer and let go of Bruce Allen. Peterson is someone who can carry the load once again if Guice is unable to stay healthy.
Article Continues BelowIs there any Cons of signing Peterson?
Peterson is 34 years old. He is not the player he was in 2012 but he is still very effective and showed it during his two years in Washington. The Redskins are a young, rebuilding team and Peterson does not fit that bill but he is a generational player who brings leadership.
The only con could be that Peterson needs the ball and could hinder Guice's production. This would be especially true if Guice was healthy and the two had a bad relationship. That is not the case. Guice has struggled with injuries and he has said many times that Peterson has been a huge mentor for him.
Peterson was given the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award this season. He was apart of a 3-13 team and did not cause any problems. Peterson is a huge voice in the locker room and one of the leaders on the Redskins. This is something that they need in D.C., especially with a young quarterback. Peterson will be back in 2020. His fate is unknown beyond next season but if he is brought back, it would not be the worst thing for Washington.