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5 teams Adrian Peterson can play for in 2017

By John Buhler

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) smiles prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) smiles prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Not only did Adrian Peterson tear his meniscus, but he did it in a contract year with the Minnesota Vikings. Here are five teams he could sign with in 2017.

Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian tore the meniscus in his right knee in Sunday Night Football in Week 2. Peterson will have surgery on Thursday and will be out until at least December for the Vikings.

This is a devastating loss for the Vikings, who are seeing their Super Bowl LI hopes slip through their fingers with one injury after another. Having Peterson out for most of 2016 might mean that the Vikings’ Super Bowl-caliber roster doesn’t even qualify for the NFC Playoffs.

To further complicate things with Peterson and his injury, he’ll be 32 years old next season and the Vikings have a team option on him entering the 2017 NFL season. If Peterson decides to play beyond 2016, here are five teams the future Hall of Fame running back could play for in 2017.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) pretends to take a picture after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) pretends to take a picture after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Carolina Panthers

Let’s be real. If Peterson does decide to play in 2017, it will only be for NFL teams that have realistic Super Bowl aspirations. He’ll probably want to go to a team that either has elite defensive personnel or a high-octane offense. No middle-of-the-pack team has any shot at landing his services in 2017.

One team that could be an interesting fit for Peterson is the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has a great defense led by linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Offensively, the Panthers lean on quarterback Cam Newton, tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.

The Panthers prefer to be a ground and pound offensive team, but have not had great stability at the running back position the last few seasons. Starting running back Jonathan Stewart is almost always hurt. Mike Tolbert is a great fullback, but nothing more at this stage of his career. Fozzy Whittaker is not a bell-cow back by any stretch of the imagination.

If Peterson wants to have one last shot at playing for a Super Bowl, the Panthers are a team he should consider. He wouldn’t have to be even the third best player on the Carolina offense to reach Super Bowl LII. If he’s willing to take less money and assume a complimentary role to Newton in Charlotte, this would be a good opportunity for Peterson to ride off into the sunset hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Panthers.

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