:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68571349/usa_today_15339715.0.jpg)
While the Lions haven’t been as competitive as their players would’ve hoped this year, it isn’t swaying newcomer Adrian Peterson from wanting to stick around. Insider Josina Anderson spoke with the 35-year-old running back following the Lions’ elimination from the playoff race Sunday, wherein Peterson expressed a desire to stay in Detroit after his contract is up this season.
“I’d still like to stay in Detroit,” Peterson told Anderson. “I believe we still have a good team. We just need a few more pieces to improve.”
Peterson had a high profile role in the offense early on in the season, but that shrank dramatically as rookie running back D’Andre Swift became a bigger part of the offense. After averaging almost 14 carries per game over the first six games of the season, Peterson has seen just 10 for the past two weeks combined.
Nonetheless, Peterson has been a positive influence both on and off the field in his brief time in Detroit. Notably, when Swift took over Peterson’s starting spot, Peterson was very supportive.
Adrian Peterson said when he was told that he lost his starting job to D'Andre Swift, his reaction was, (paraphrased) "You should've done this 2-3 weeks ago."
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) November 20, 2020
Off the field, Peterson has made an immediate impact in the community with his partnership with The Athlete’s Corner to donate meals to hungry families in the Detroit area, with a goal of 100,000 meals. You can read more about that initiative in Peterson’s op-ed in the Detroit Free Press.
While Peterson had a significant role this season, much of it can be attributed to his partnership with Darrell Bevell, who served as Peterson’s offensive coordinator back near Peterson’s prime. With a new regime, it’ll be very up in the air as to what the running back room looks like in 2021.