Adrian Peterson, 38, Says He Still Wants to Play in NFL

Several playoff contenders could use additional depth at running back.

Adrian Peterson was eliminated last week from ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. No longer needing his dancing shoes, he’s now ready to return to football. 

Fans of the ballroom dancing show could see that Peterson, 38, remains in outstanding shape. That was surely a factor in his choice to participate in the reality TV competition. Plenty of current and former football stars have been successful on the show, including Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Donald Driver, Hines Ward and Von Miller. 

Many of the show’s competitors are at a stage of their careers where the exposure provided by prime-time network TV can provide a jump-start for a revival. That applies to Peterson, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021 with the Seahawks and Titans. 

The veteran running back insists he still can contribute to any team in need of rushing help. In an interview with Robert Griffin III on his RG3 and The Ones podcast, Peterson said he’s better than some of the players currently in the league.

Here’s a clip:

Adrian Peterson says he could outperform some of the dudes in the league RIGHT NOW.

New episode out now, tap in with @AdrianPeterson

📺: https://t.co/gmcksd1EMj pic.twitter.com/I1vJS2oIX8

— Outta Pocket with RGIII (@OuttaPocketRG3) October 26, 2023

“I can still play,” Peterson said. “I feel like I got the ability to continue to get out there and outperform a lot of these kids that I see playing today.” 

Peterson said earlier this year that he wasn’t prepared to retire. His chances of a team’s showing interest seem narrow after not playing last season. But several running backs have gotten injured this season, and some contenders could also use help at the position. 

Would Peterson be a fit with the Browns or Dolphins? How about the Bills or Jaguars? Might the Commanders or Lions be interested in bringing him back? No one expects him to be a starter at age 38, but he could provide depth for a roster thin in the backfield.

With no more reality TV obligations, Peterson is available for any NFL team that needs him.

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