No full-time running back in NFL history has ever played until age 40, something that could change in the near future if Adrian Peterson's career lasts as long as he thinks it can last.
During a conference call with St. Louis media on Wednesday, the Vikings running back was asked how much longer he thinks he can play in the NFL, and the 30-year-old offered a surprising answer.
"If God's willing, 10 more years," Peterson said. "If God's willing, I'll just be able to walk away from the game at the highest level whenever I decide."
If Peterson did last for 10 more seasons in the NFL, that would be unheard of at his position. Most running backs begin to decline at age 30 and none have made it to age 40.
Former Jets fullback Tony Richardson came close though. Richardson was 39 when he retired in 2010. However, Richardson only carried the ball a total of 429 times in his 16-year career, so he wasn't taking the same kind of hits that Peterson's been taking during his nine seasons, which has included 2,194 rushing attempts.
If you don't count fullbacks like Richardson, then that leaves Marcus Allen as football's most productive old-timer.
As a 37-year-old in 1997, Allen rushed for 505 yards. If Peterson's still productive at age 37, that would be impressive on its own. If you take Allen out of the picture, there's only been one other running back over 37 who's rushed for over 100 yards and that was the AFL's John Henry Johnson in 1966 (226 yards).
On the other hand, if Peterson does stick around until he's 40, he'll have some company because Tom Brady also plans on playing until 2025. If both guys last that long, I could see Dan Snyder signing them in eight years.
Top running backs in NFL history (37 or older)
1. Marcus Allen, 37 (1997): 505 yards, 11 TD
2. John Henry Johnson, 37 (1966): 226 yards, 3 TD
3. Tony Richardson, 37 (2008): 65 yards, 0 TD
4. Tony Richardson, 38 (2009): 48 yards, 0 TD
5. Lorenzo Neal, 37 (2007): 37 yards, 0 TD
(via Pro Football Reference)
