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Adrian Peterson Responds To Redskins’ Decision

Adrian Peterson Responds To Redskins’ Decision

Adrian Peterson Responds To Redskins’ Decision

Adrian Peterson responded to the Redskins’ decision to pick up their team option on him this past Wednesday.

“Going into this season, there’s so much more I can do and how I can help this team,” he told ESPN in an interview.

“My mentality is showing the Adrian Peterson of old and not just flashes; really showing, ‘Wow, this cat is on a whole different level.'”

Peterson, 34, is in the midst of a remarkable career resurgence.

After looking absolutely washed for years, the former Minnesota Vikings star signed with Washington and quietly put together two really solid seasons.

Last year, he started in 15 outings for the Redskins and amassed 898 yards and five scores on 4.3 yards per carry.

Over the last two seasons, ever since he came to Washington, he has amassed 1,940 yards and 12 scores. Thus far, he has only missed one game since signing with the team.

On Wednesday, the Redskins agreed to pick up the team option on the two-year, $8 million deal that they inked Peterson to back in 2019.

In response, Peterson took to Twitter to celebrate.

“Still going strong,” he tweeted out.

Going strong, indeed. At one point, Peterson found himself cut or traded by Minnesota, the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints.

For a while there, it genuinely seemed as though Peterson’s untimely retirement was inevitable.

Somehow the former MVP reversed that career trajectory and now finds himself in a great situation. For his part, he recognizes how lucky he is.

“I think it’s different with guys of my stature,” Peterson said.

“When [teammates] see a 35-year-old running back at camp going 100 miles an hour with each rep, every rep, competing at the highest level and working to get yourself and teammates better, it’s inspiring.

“That’s not natural with a lot of guys and something I’ve been blessed with. It’s all about sharing that and being an example and showing these young guys and vet guys what it takes to be great. Just seeing that mentality from a player of my stature helps out tremendously when you have a young team and you’re trying to build that type of culture.”

Peterson’s deal will pay him a $2.25 base salary and $750,000 signing bonus this year.

With new head coach Ron Rivera at the helm of the Redskins now, it will be interesting to see what sort of usage Peterson gets in 2020.

Related: Chicago Bears Trading For Andy Dalton?

Carlos Garcia

A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.

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