Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Adrian Peterson

Discover the career path of Adrian Peterson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Adrian Peterson is a former NFL running back, widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. He played college football at Oklahoma, setting a freshman rushing record and becoming the first freshman to finish as a Heisman Trophy runner-up. Peterson ended his college career as Oklahoma's third all-time leading rusher before embarking on a successful 15-season NFL career.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2004: Freshman Rushing Record

In 2004, Adrian Peterson set the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards, becoming a unanimous All-American and the first freshman to finish as runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

January 15, 2007: Declared for NFL Draft

On January 15, 2007, Adrian Peterson declared he would enter the 2007 NFL draft, forgoing his senior year of college.

April 28, 2007: Drafted by Minnesota Vikings

On April 28, 2007, Adrian Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round with the seventh overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft.

July 29, 2007: Signed by Vikings

Nearly three months after being drafted, on July 29, 2007, Adrian Peterson was signed by the Vikings for $40.5 million over five years.

September 9, 2007: First NFL Game

On September 9, 2007, Adrian Peterson ran for 103 yards and scored his first professional touchdown in his first NFL regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons.

October 14, 2007: Breakout Game Against the Bears

On October 14, 2007, Adrian Peterson had a breakout game against the Chicago Bears with a three-touchdown performance and a then-franchise record of 224 rushing yards, earning him Offensive Player of the Week honors.

November 4, 2007: Record-Breaking Performance

On November 4, 2007, Adrian Peterson broke his own franchise record and the NFL single-game rushing yard record with 296 yards and three touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. This was his second 200+ rushing yard game as a rookie, and he also recorded 315 scrimmage yards. This performance earned him his second Offensive Player of the Week title and took him past 1,000 rushing yards for the year in just eight games.

December 2, 2007: Return from Injury

On December 2, 2007, Adrian Peterson returned to action after a knee injury, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 116 yards against the Detroit Lions.

2007: Drafted by the Vikings

In 2007, Adrian Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings seventh overall in the NFL draft.

February 10, 2008: Pro Bowl MVP Award

On February 10, 2008, Adrian Peterson won the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl MVP award with 16 carries for 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first rookie since Marshall Faulk in 1994 to win the award.

2008: Leading League in Rushing

In 2008, Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1,760 yards.

January 14, 2009: AP All-Pro Team Selection

On January 14, 2009, Adrian Peterson was named to his second AP All-Pro team in two years, recognizing his performance in the 2008 season.

September 10, 2011: Contract Extension

On September 10, 2011, Adrian Peterson signed a $96 million contract over seven seasons with the Vikings, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.

September 18, 2011: 6,000-Yard Milestone

On September 18, 2011, Adrian Peterson reached the 6,000-yard milestone in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2012: Near Record-Breaking Season

In 2012, Adrian Peterson finished the season with 2,097 rushing yards, the second-most ever for a running back in a single season. He also became the seventh player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards and earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

December 2014: Peterson's Suspension Affirmed

In December 2014, Harold Henderson, the NFL-appointed arbitrator, affirmed Adrian Peterson's unpaid suspension until at least spring 2015.

February 26, 2015: Peterson Reinstated to the League

On February 26, 2015, Adrian Peterson was reinstated to the NFL after U.S. District Court Judge David Doty ruled in favor of the NFL Players Association's lawsuit against the NFL on Peterson's behalf.

August 4, 2016: NFL wins appeal against Peterson

On August 4, 2016, ESPN reported that the NFL won an appeal in a case against Adrian Peterson, reversing a ruling which had overturned Peterson's suspension and fine.

April 25, 2017: Peterson Signs with the New Orleans Saints

On April 25, 2017, Adrian Peterson signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, which included a $2.5 million signing bonus.

September 11, 2017: Peterson's First Game with the Saints

On September 11, 2017, Adrian Peterson played his first game with the New Orleans Saints against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings. He was limited to 18 rushing yards on six carries as the Saints lost 29–19 on Monday Night Football.

October 10, 2017: Peterson Traded to the Arizona Cardinals

On October 10, 2017, Adrian Peterson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a conditional sixth-round draft pick.

2017: Signed with the Saints

In 2017, Adrian Peterson signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, later being traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

March 13, 2018: Peterson Released by Cardinals

On March 13, 2018, Adrian Peterson was released by the Arizona Cardinals.

August 20, 2018: Peterson Signs with Washington Redskins

On August 20, 2018, Adrian Peterson signed a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Washington Redskins after injuries to their running backs.

September 9, 2018: Peterson's Debut with the Redskins

On September 9, 2018, Adrian Peterson debuted with the Washington Redskins against the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 96 yards and moved into the top 10 on the career rushing yards list.

March 13, 2019: Peterson Signs with Washington Redskins for Two More Years

On March 13, 2019, Adrian Peterson signed a two-year, $8 million contract to stay with the Washington Redskins.

September 4, 2020: Peterson Released by Washington Redskins

On September 4, 2020, Adrian Peterson was released by the Washington Redskins.

September 6, 2020: Peterson Signs with Detroit Lions

On September 6, 2020, Adrian Peterson signed a one-year $1.05 million contract with the Detroit Lions.

November 2, 2021: Peterson Joins Tennessee Titans' Practice Squad

On November 2, 2021, Adrian Peterson signed with the Tennessee Titans' practice squad following an injury to Derrick Henry.

November 5, 2021: Peterson Promoted to Titans' Active Roster

On November 5, 2021, Adrian Peterson was promoted to the Tennessee Titans' active roster.

November 23, 2021: Peterson Waived by the Titans

On November 23, 2021, the Tennessee Titans waived Adrian Peterson.

December 1, 2021: Peterson Signs with Seattle Seahawks Practice Squad

On December 1, 2021, Adrian Peterson was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.

December 4, 2021: Peterson Activated and Scores Touchdown for Seahawks

On December 4, 2021, Adrian Peterson was activated off the practice squad for the Seahawks' game against the San Francisco 49ers. Peterson scored a rushing touchdown, tying Jim Brown for tenth on the all-time rushing touchdowns list, and becoming the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams.

July 2022: Peterson to Face Bell in Boxing Match

In July 2022, it was announced that Adrian Peterson would face Le'Veon Bell in an exhibition boxing match originally scheduled for July 31 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, but was postponed due to medical issues with another fighter.