
Yes, I meant that headline as it was written. Would Matt Forte (or a similar running back, I suppose) fit the Vikings better than Adrian Peterson.
I promise this isn't a hot take. It's a measured take — in the form, really, of a question. I don't know the answer, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately. So let's take a look at why I've been thinking about it.
First, is it nonsense that I've even been thinking about it? That's a fair place to start. After all, Peterson won the NFL rushing title in 2015 with 1,485 yards and was the most valuable offensive player on a team that went 11-5 and won the NFC North. He is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
We could stop there, and you could decide I'm an idiot. But let's keep going.
What I worry about less and less with Peterson these days is his age. Sure, he's going to be 31 next month. But he's a physical freak. He defies odds. So let's assume he remains productive in 2016 and even beyond.
The crux of my question comes from how limited Peterson is in many other areas of the game — some that would challenge any team, some that are specific to the Vikings, all of which seem to be deeply ingrained in a veteran running back.
He said in his post-year availability that he wants be more versatile.
"You look at the young guys, Jerick [McKinnon], he comes in a lot on third down and he presents a different piece to our offense, running routes and things like that. I envision myself doing things like that at a different level."