Adrian Peterson, the Coach?
Dustin Baker
|
You know Adrian Peterson as the Vikings leading rusher of all-time or the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher ever.
But as Peterson’s career assuredly winds down – it’s gone on forever because he is a cyborg – he might just make a gridiron pivot to coaching.
Peterson currently plays [sparingly] for the Seattle Seahawks after his release by the Tennessee Titans earlier in the 2021 season. There, he’s united with head coach Pete Carroll who evidently taps Peterson as a potentially bright coaching mind.
At age 36 – an unholy age for running backs not named Gore – Peterson is likely encountering his final season as a player in the league. Drafted in 2007 by the Vikings, Peterson stayed put in Minneapolis for nine years, later exploring the Saints, Cardinals, Washington, Lions, Titans, and Seahawks.
Peterson won the NFL MVP award in 2012, the last non-quarterback to do so.
It is unclear if Peterson would try coaching immediately next season or down the road. But with Carroll’s endorsement – he wouldn’t serve up the recommendation for just anybody – Vikings fans could eventually watch Peterson, the coach, after his playing days.
Carroll said of the future Hall of Famer:
“There are a lot of things that he can do in the world, he doesn’t have to be a ball coach, but he certainly would have a chance to be a great one,”
Because he’s been a member of the league for 14 years, Peterson has endured the changing dynamic of football. Teams pass the football more frequently, leaving Peterson as one of the NFL’s final game-changing, run-first running backs on which a team built a foundation. While some teams still spend top dollar on halfbacks, the importance of the position – especially on draft night – is dwindling. In terms of run-pass play split, the teams in the middle of the mix in 2021 throw the ball 59% of the time. Back in the 1970s, teams ran more than they threw the ball. In the 1980s, passing increased leaguewide to about 53% of the time. As the 2020s have begun, the scales are tipping at passing around 60% of the time.
Teams can still find a spot for Peterson’s coaching career, though. His voice will carry a lot of weight and command. The man has been around the game for a decade and a half, so if he’s not ready to exit – and isn’t performing at an RB1 level – a progression to coaching checks out.
Peterson’s first RB coach with the Vikings was Eric Bieniemy, a man who might just interview for an impending Vikings coaching vacancy in the coming weeks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
You must be logged in to post a comment.