Adrian Peterson Contemplates Scenery Change, Should Come to Jaguars?

Adrian Peterson may be looking for a new place to call home when he is inevitably reinstated into the NFL.

“Maybe it’s best for me to get a fresh start somewhere else,” the All Pro running back mused. Meanwhile, running back needy teams began salivating at the thought of landing arguably the best back of this generation.

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With

the Minnesota Vikings considering the future without Adrian Peterson

, other teams may be thinking about what they could do with the bruising back on their roster.

Among those teams should be the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sure, the Jags just signed former Peterson backup Toby Gerhart to a decent-sized contract this past offseason. Sure, the team has seemingly found its answer at the position in second year player Denard Robinson. But both players leave some questions at the position. For Gerhart it’s, “what do we do with you?” For Robinson it’s, “Can he keep it up?”

While I firmly believe that Robinson has found his legs permanently and will be a top five running back in the NFL, if you get a shot to land the best running back, you take it. As pointed out by Erik Lambert at NFL Mocks:

"The fact is though that the Jaguars will enjoy $44 million in cap space next year, which makes a move for Peterson very possible.  He and Robinson teaming together could take loads of pressure off Blake Bortles and take the offense to the next level."

While the combination of Robinson and Peterson in the backfield may be nothing more than a dream scenario, it’s an awfully enticing dream.

One of the problems for quarterback Blake Bortles has been inconsistent play at running back. While the problem has seemingly been solved in recent weeks, it always pays to have a player at the position who has a proven track record of success, a proven track record of putting the team on his back and powering through no matter how mediocre the talent around him is.

That is what makes Peterson so enticing.

He has proven he can run all day behind shoddy offensive lines. He’s proven he can beat eight defenders in the box. He’s proven that he can be the most valuable player on a team by a long shot.

That will help Bortles develop as he doesn’t have to worry about being “the guy” right away, especially after being thrust into that role when Chad Henne failed to pan out.

Peterson would also help Robinson develop as a running back. No matter if Robinson can keep up a high level of play or not, he is still transitioning from playing quarterback in college just over a year and a half ago. He’s still learning the ropes. The Jaguars are still figuring out how to use their “offensive weapon.” Peterson can fill that mentorship role and elevate Robinson’s play, but like he did for Gerhart.

So, while Peterson contemplates a change of scenery and the Minnesota Vikings plan a potential future without him (at least for the rest of the year), the Jaguars could be a part of the equation for Peterson’s future. While it may not happen (honestly, it’s a slim shot) and he could very well stay put, the dream is tempting to explore. He would be a major boon for the Jags.