Seattle Seahawks: Signing Adrian Peterson Makes Perfect Sense

Regardless of Adrian Peterson’s recent injury issues, he could be just what the Seattle Seahawks need to revive their ground attack in 2017.

At this point, the general consensus seems to be that the Seattle Seahawks will not win Super Bowl LI. However, whether you believe this or not, one thing we can all agree on is that their running game is a shambles.

The Seahawks enter the playoffs after averaging just 99.4 yards per game during the regular season, which ranked 25th in the NFL. Best highlighting this struggle was the mediocre 87 yards they managed against a San Francisco 49ers‘ run defense which was worst in the entire league.

The question is, what do the Hawks need to do to improve the one glaring weakness on their team? Obviously, part of the answer comes down to actually spending some time and money on an offensive line, which has been disregarded while the front office concentrates on other areas.

However, John Schneider and Pete Carroll also need to sort out the running back position, which has still not recovered from the retirement of Marshawn Lynch. Yes, Thomas Rawls and CJ Prosise may well combine to eventually provide the solution, but neither has proved themselves consistently up to this point.

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There is also the very real situation that the window of opportunity may be closing for certain prominent players in Seattle, due to a combination of age, durability issues and contract situations. Examples of each respective category include Michael Bennett, Kam Chancellor and Jimmy Graham.

With all of this in mind, we believe we have the ideal short-term solution for the Seahawks – Adrian Peterson. At 6 ft 2 and 217 lbs, he perfectly fits the mold of the physical kind of player who would compliment a team traditionally knowing for running the ball and playing hard-hitting defense during Carroll’s regime.

No doubt, a lot of people will be wondering how this could even come to fruition, with Peterson currently still a member of the Minnesota Vikings. However, all indications are that he has played his last down in Minneapolis.

One of the main reasons for this comes down to the former seventh overall draft pick being owed $17.75 million in salary and bonuses next season. This is too much to pay for most running backs, never mind one who was limited to three games this past season.

In addition, while Peterson has — publicly at least — stated his desire to remain in Minnesota, he has given no indication he is prepared to take a pay cut. Taking these factors into account, it is perfectly understandable why the Vikings will likely part company with the best running back in franchise history.

Now at this point, some of you may be asking if we’re lost our minds. Why should the Seahawks even consider going for someone who will be 32 when the next season begins, and after a campaign in which he averaged just 1.9 yards on 37 carries.

Further, there is no getting around the fact this is no longer the same player who in 2012 finished just eight yards shy of Eric Dickerson‘s record for rushing yards in a season. And yet, Peterson still remains an extremely intriguing option.

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (right) greets Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

From the seven-time Pro Bowler’s perspective, he firmly believes he still has a future in the NFL. Speaking to Matthew Coller of 1500 ESPN on Monday, he said: “I know that I have at least seven more years.

“In my mind, I’m thinking if God’s willing, I stay healthy, I’ll play five more and it’s going to be at a high level. So that’s the way that I envision things going for me when it comes to my career and how I think about it.”

While this is an admirable mindset, the likelihood of things playing out how Peterson envisions, is unlikely. Here’s the thing though – the Seahawks don’t need him to play for another five-to-seven years.

If Carroll can get even two productive seasons out of the NFL 2012 MVP, that would be enough to help the Seahawks remain in contention. The question is, what would it take to secure his services?