NFL: Adrian Peterson, 38, says he has NOT retired yet and hopes to play in 2023

Adrian Peterson says he’s not done with the NFL yet.

The 38-year-old running back has not officially retired, and as he told the Fort Worth Star Telegramhe won’t make such an announcement this season, hoping to land with an NFL team.

“Mentally, I haven’t officially hung up,” Peterson said. ‘We’ll see what happens. My mindset is, God willing, maybe an opportunity presents itself and maybe it will happen this season… But nothing is happening this season. Of course, I’ll hang it up.

Peterson, who didn’t play last season, needs 82 rushing yards to reach 15,000 for his career. He’s 351 yards shy of tying Barry Sanders for fourth on the all-time racing list.

He last played in 2021, appearing in one game with the Seattle Seahawks and three with the Tennessee Titans.

Peterson, who didn’t play last season, needs 82 rushing yards to reach 15,000

Originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson also played for New Orleans, Arizona, Washington and Detroit. He’s a four-time All-Pro and led the NFL three times.

While some quarterbacks, kickers, and even a few offensive linemen have played well into their 40s, it’s nearly impossible for running backs to do so.

Jim Thorpe and Ken Strong did it in the 1920s and 1940s, respectively, but they played in multiple positions and seasons were shorter in those days. More recently, Frank Gore managed to play until the age of 39, when he retired as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Peterson competed in an exhibition boxing match in September against another former NFL running back, LeVeon Bell, and ultimately lost with a fifth-round knockout.