Exclusive: Adrian Peterson Talks Fantasy Football, Vikings, Jeremiyah Love and More
credit: © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Adrian Peterson hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but to this day, he regularly gets thanked for his production on the field — and not just from fans of the teams he played on.
“I hear it every other day: ‘Man, you were always such a gift to my fantasy team’,” Peterson told RotoGrinders in an exclusive interview. “That’s always cool to hear.”
The legendary running back will hear it a lot more later this month when he headlines the National Fantasy Football Draft Day Celebration from Aug. 20-22 at Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Former Phillies star Jayson Werth and commentator Michelle Beadle are among the other big names who will be at the event.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Peterson said. “I know it’s their first National Fantasy Football Draft Day celebration, so it’s cool to be a part of that. When you think about fantasy football and how it all started when I was playing, to be a part of it is going to be pretty cool.”
Peterson: J.J. McCarthy ‘Has A Lot Of Growing To Do’
Peterson played for seven different teams in his career, but will forever be synonymous with the Vikings, where he had a dominant 10-year run.
Like everyone else, he is looking on with interest as the quarterback battle gets decided in training camp.
While J.J. McCarthy has reportedly had a couple nice flashes early in training camp, Peterson does not think he will beat out talented veteran Kyler Murray for the starting job.
“In my eyes, based on what I’ve seen from J.J., it would definitely be a surprise,” Peterson said. “That’s not to take anything away from J.J. I feel like he’s still a young quarterback. He’s only been around two or three years and he was injured the first year. But I feel like he has a lot of growing to do.”
With no clear-cut answer yet on the depth chart, fans looking to trade on the Vikings for this upcoming NFL season can use this polymarket invite code to trade on it.
Peterson points to McCarthy’s decision-making as the main thing holding him back.
“I feel like he has the potential to be an outstanding quarterback, but some of his decision-making, from my own perspective, I’m just like, ‘Ah, come on now,’” Peterson said. “There are certain things you can’t do, and certain things you need to do. Me watching the Vikings last year, there were times when I was like, ‘Come on. Come on. You’re better than that.’ So with that, and with Kyler being a savvy vet with that experience and having that new sense of life — I’m sure the competition has been really good, and they’re pushing each other.”
Peterson: Murray Can Get Vikings Over the Hump
Peterson was excited when Murray was added in March and thinks he could be the missing piece for a playoff run.
The former No. 1 overall pick made a pair of Pro Bowls in Arizona but had an up-and-down final few seasons with the team. The Cardinals struggled to field a strong defense opposite Murray for much of his tenure, and Peterson believes the new pairing with Minnesota is ideal for both quarterback and team.
“I feel like the sky is the limit for (the Vikings),” Peterson said. “The defense played outstanding last year, and the year before that, too. When I saw it going across the ticker that they were getting Kyler, I thought, ‘That’s a hell of a move right there.’ Kyler being down there in Arizona, you could see the writing was on the wall.
“Whatever the reason was, I don’t know, but he’s a tremendous talent. Great agility as a quarterback and has an incredible arm. And a guy that can keep a play alive. I thought it would be a really good fit for Minnesota with the talent they have. He really could be a game-changer for them.”
Peterson believes the change of scenery will have Murray reinvigorated and motivated to perform in Minnesota.
“A lot of people give Kyler Murray a hard time for not being able to perform at a high level all the time and consistently, but he just needed a fresh start, something new to revive him,” Peterson said. “A different outlook on things and give them a boost they needed. When they picked him up, I thought this was an opportunity to change his mindset and say, ‘You know what? I’ve been blessed to go to an incredible team that’s very talented offensively and defensively, and now I can be that piece.’ I feel like if he comes in with that mindset, he can be the one that gets us over the hump.”
Peterson: Jeremiyah Love Could Have Instant Impact
Peterson was a beast as a rookie, carrying the ball 238 times for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns after Minnesota made him the No. 7 overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2007.
Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 overall to the Cardinals this year, and Peterson was asked if he could make a similar impact as a rookie.
“I could see him doing that,” said Peterson, who played for Arizona in 2017. “Watching him in college, he’s an incredible talent. Really good vision. Agile. I feel like he has the potential to do that.
“The one thing that I can’t vouch for is, what type of work are these guys putting in? I know all about it because that’s what my career was based on — getting out what you put in. From the looks of it, what he was able to do in college, he definitely has the ability to make an impact immediately. I’m just hoping that he has done, and is continuing to do, the things he needs to do to make that splash that he wants.”
Peterson said that’s the biggest piece of advice he would dole out to Love. Don’t buy into the hype and keep working hard.
“That’s the main ingredient when it comes to having a long and successful career,” Peterson said. “Obviously taking care of your body health-wise, but most importantly, you have to love that grind. You have to.”
Peterson Thought Cardinals Would Draft Him Over Levi Brown
A portion of the Arizona fanbase clamored for Love after the organization passed on Peterson with the No. 5 overall pick in 2007, instead taking Penn State tackle Levi Brown.
Peterson went on to have a Hall of Fame career while Brown was mediocre at best. Peterson was asked if he thought the Cardinals were going to take him in that draft.
“Yep, I sure did,” Peterson said. “I was like, ‘Hey, they’ve got Larry (Fitzgerald), a good squad.’ And they had a void in the running back position room. I felt like, shoot, if I slip to 5, then Arizona is going to take me for sure.
“That didn’t happen and I was like, ‘Damn, OK. Levi Brown?’ I didn’t really know Levi Brown like that. I ain’t going to lie. In my mind I was like, ‘They’re going to take Levi Brown over me?’ OK. It is what it is.”
Peterson: Bijan Robinson My Favorite Running Back To Watch
There are many explosive running backs in the NFL that Peterson enjoys watching.
When asked to pick his favorite, he zeroes in on the young star in Atlanta.
“I’d probably say Bijan (Robinson),” Peterson said. “He runs very aggressively. He is explosive, and I feel like he has that ‘it’ factor. A guy that can take it the distance any time you give him the ball. He has great vision, I’ve noticed. He has that jump cut where he can plant and then get upfield so fast. It’s dangerous.”
Robinson had 1,478 rushing yards, 820 receiving yards and 11 combined touchdowns last season at age-23, numbers that put him firmly in the first-round conversation for anyone drafting with an underdog promo code this year. Peterson thinks there is even more to come in 2026.
“I’m excited to watch him play,” Peterson said. “I like watching David Montgomery as well, and (Jahmyr) Gibbs, but I would say Robinson is the guy I like the most, and I’m looking to see how he comes back this year.”
Peterson: Oklahoma Run Game Must Improve
Peterson originally burst onto the national scene as a game-wrecker at the University of Oklahoma.
He still keeps up with the Sooners and said a run game that was lackluster in 2025 is a major key in helping OU contend for the national championship this season.
No Sooners running back reached 500 yards rushing last season.
“Me and (ex-OU running backs coach) DeMarco (Murray), we texted back and forth during the season,” Peterson said. “He asked a couple questions about what I thought of a couple things, and I shared what I thought. I do feel like that position was kind of something that hindered us from being that explosive offense that we can be when everything is working on all cylinders.
“I feel like there will be a little more emphasis on the run game, but you put emphasis on the run game when you’ve got guys back there that are being productive. I feel like if we can do that, it will put us over the hump.”
Peterson: John Mateer Must Shake Off Late-Season Struggles
The biggest piece for the Sooners’ championship hopes will be returning quarterback John Mateer.
Peterson is a fan of his game and thinks a hand injury contributed to a drop-off in play during the 2025 season.
Mateer averaged more than 300 passing yards per game at 8.6 yards per attempt in four games before the injury. He averaged 209 passing yards per game at 6.5 yards per attempt in his final eight contests.
“I really like John Mateer, man,” Peterson said. “He really impressed me. Especially the first half of the season. His decision-making, his ability to create things when it broke down. He kept plays alive using his feet.
“Then he had that injury where he had to have surgery, and in my personal opinion based on watching, I think that kind of hurt his confidence. I don’t think they would put him out there if he wasn’t healthy, but I could see a difference in the kid that was playing earlier in the year compared to who was out there against Texas.”
Peterson hopes Mateer can get back to the level of play that was shown early last season.
“You go through things as players, especially at the quarterback position, and it’s all about how you respond,” Peterson said. “I’m hoping that he’s able to look and see the difference, and then do everything he needs to do to get that confidence back. Make sure he’s back to the old version, and then a better version, of what he was.”