Like a fine wine, Adrian Peterson seems to just get better with age.
The Vikings running back turned in another tremendous performance at the age of 30 as he nabbed his third career rushing title last season by running for 1,485 yards. He also racked up 11 rushing touchdowns, which tied for the most in the league.
It only added to a historic career that will list Peterson as one of the game's greatest running backs of all-time. NFL players voted him **No. 5** in NFL Network's Top 100 of 2016 earlier this offseason.
Peterson is second among active players with 11,675 rushing yards, a total that puts him 17th on the all-time rushing list. He is ninth in NFL history with 97 career rushing touchdowns and has 102 total touchdowns in his 10-year career.
Notable Quote
The Vikings have made the playoffs four times in Peterson's career, including an appearance in the 2009 NFC Championship.
But the veteran running back said at offseason practices that he's more than confident the Vikings can return to the postseason for a second straight year, and go on a deep run.
Could a Super Bowl berth be on the horizon in Minnesota? Peterson thinks so.
"We have a long way to go, but we have the pieces and what it takes to accomplish that," Peterson said. "So, there's nothing wrong with saying it.
"If any other guy on this team doesn't feel that way, then we need to be trading him and bringing somebody in that feels that way as well," he added. "We all know what we're trying to accomplish, and I feel like we have what it takes to accomplish that."
Coach's Corner
Vikings running backs coach Kevin Stefanski is entering his 11th season with the franchise but this is his first time leading the running backs.
Stefanski has been in Minnesota a year longer than Peterson, and the coach said he grows more and more impressed with the Vikings all-time leading rusher each year.
"I was here the day he walked into the draft room to shake everybody's hand so we've been around each other for all these years," Stefanski said. "Adrian and I have been known commodities to each other … but I've been so impressed because with Adrian, when he's at work, he is working.
"Everyone likes to imagine a superstar that shows up and does what he pleases, and that's not Adrian," he added. "He's here and he's working his tail off. He's been so good at setting that tempo."
The Depth Chart
While Peterson is the entrenched No. 1 running back, third-year pro Jerick McKinnon has proven to be a strong change-of-pace option. He ran for 271 yards in 2015 and averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
McKinnon is known for being a quick and shifty runner and came on strong at the end of last season, finishing with three total touchdowns in his final three games.
A reliable pass catcher, McKinnon could see his role increase in 2015.
Veteran running back Matt Asiata is a tough-nosed player who helps protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from blitzers and performs well in short-yardage situations.
Fullback Zach Line played in all 16 games and made five starts in 2015. . The fourth-year player out of Southern Methodist University had a nose for the end zone, rushing for a pair of scores and catching another one on 12 total touches.
The Vikings added undrafted free agent running backs C.J. Ham and Jhurell Pressley in May. Fullback Blake Renaud, an undrafted free agent in 2015, is back after spending most of last season on Minnesota's practice squad.* *
