When the news broke earlier this week that the Washington Redskins were exercising their team option on veteran running back Adrian Peterson’s contract, keeping him around for the 2020 season, fans may have exhaled a sigh of relief.
The Redskins were never really flirting with letting a valuable asset like AP walk, especially when he’s only owed $3 million in 2020, but it was at least comforting to have the decision be made. According to coach Ron Rivera, it was never really a question of if the team was going to retain Peterson, just when they were going to do so.
“Adrian Peterson is the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league,” Rivera said, via NBC Sports Washington. “Adrian’s leadership and passion towards the game of football will set an example of what is expected of the players in this program moving forward.”
We wrote earlier this week about just how important it was for Rivera and the Redskins to keep Peterson around — his presence goes far beyond numbers and rather highlights the culture of hard work and accountability within the program. Rivera’s remarks just go to further prove that notion.
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