Adrian Peterson Super Bowl Dreams Are Fading Fast

The injury to Teddy Bridgewater has major ramifications for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, but one must feel for how it impacts Adrian Peterson.

Regardless of opinions regarding his off-the-field history, nobody can deny the star running back has given his blood, sweat and tears to the organization since he was drafted in 2007. Over that span he has largely carried them to whatever success they’ve enjoyed, often appearing superhuman at times. His 2012 comeback from a shredded knee to post over 2,000 yards is the stuff of legend. Yet in the end that epic season resulted in more playoff disappointment.

The bane of his existence throughout that time has been the quarterbacks. For years the Vikings have tried every solution imaginable to get a solid enough player under center in order to take the pressure off Peterson. Yet it always seemed like things would go south at the worst possible times, crushing his dreams of finally reach a Super Bowl.

Let’s review.

Tarvaris Jackson (2007)

Showed flashes of potential at times but never got over his consistency issues. Threw almost as many interceptions as touchdowns and never played a full season in his career.

Gus Frerotte (2008)

Career journeyman who was 37-years old by the time he arrived in Minnesota for his second stint. Threw more interceptions than touchdowns and retired after the season was done.

Brett Favre (2009-2010)

By far the best quarterback Peterson ever played with. Together they carried the Vikings to a 12-4 record in 2009 and reached the NFC championship. Sadly Favre betrayed him with his unforgivable interception to Tracy Porter in the closing minutes against New Orleans. The next year Favre had lost his edge and was knocked out towards the end of the season by injury. He retired for good afterwards.

Christian Ponder (2011-2013)

A puzzling 1st round pick that people still don’t understand. Ponder never looked the part of a true top tier QB. He failed to top 3,000 yards or 20 touchdowns in his three seasons as starter. To top it off he was hurt right when the Vikings needed him most before the playoffs in 2012.

Thus we come to Teddy Bridgewater. The underrated kid from Louisville wasn’t flashy, but it was clear he knew how to make plays. He helped the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015, reaching the Pro Bowl. Everything looked geared towards a possible Super Bowl run for them and the 31-year old Peterson. Then the quarterback tragically tears his ACL during in non-contact fashion during a casual practice.

Adrian Peterson will likely reach the Hall of Fame one day. His career accomplishments speak for themselves. Something is missing though, and he knows it. The true all-time greats need to have a ring.

Jim Brown.

Walter Payton

Emmitt Smith.

Peterson will be forever stuck outside that exclusive club unless he can get that elusive ring soon. This latest injury to Bridgewater doesn’t kill his odds, but with his body aging time is running out fast. One has to wonder if the man might be cursed to forever be that race car that never takes the checkered flag.

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