Adrian Peterson Comments on Factors That Could Lead to NFL Retirement

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson hasn't shown any signs of slowing down over his nine-year NFL career, but on Monday, he spoke with ESPN.com's Ben Goessling about what factors could play a part of him hanging up the cleats:    

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Training camp, going through the grind, OTAs and all that -- that will definitely be the deciding factor. Physically, body-wise, I'll be good. It's just mentally -- like with OTAs, I'm out there practicing, I'm going, I'm putting in work. But it's so repetitive that it's more suited toward the young guys and getting them into the system. It gets kind of boring.

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Boring can't describe the way Peterson, who turned 31 in March, played last season on his way to a rushing title with 1,485 yards.

The NFL showed the longest of his league-leading 11 touchdowns:

In a league where long-term success at the running back position is rare, he's rushed for over 1,200 yards in seven of his nine professional seasons. 

The only time he didn't reach that mark was in a suspension-shortened 2014 season and in 2011, when he tore his ACL. But on his way back to the field in 2012, Peterson encountered a preseason routine he enjoyed much more:

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Think about this: The 2012 season [after recovering from ACL surgery], I didn't do any training camp. But I was over there on the side, working out. You get that extra month of working out? Come on, man. I would much rather not participate in training camp and work out, just to have more of an edge. Training camp, you're going out there, you're playing football, you're going to lift, and after that, you don't want to do anything. You're tired, from meetings and all that.

"

He added jokingly, "Maybe in my next contract we can work out something like that." After those offseason preparations ahead of the 2012 season, Peterson became the seventh player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. 

It's not all football, though, that will make Peterson mull over retirement. He said his love for spending time with his five kids will play a part in his decision. 

Vikings fans shouldn't worry, though, as Peterson hasn't expressed any sort of desire to retire yet. Last week, he told Goessling, "I don't see an end in my future anywhere soon, but of course, I know I'm coming around to that last lap."

What could help Peterson stick around longer is if the Vikings remain a contender. Last season, they won their first NFC North division title since Peterson's third year in the league in 2009 before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round. 

With Peterson still in pursuit of his first Super Bowl ring, the allure of a championship with a contending team could ensure that he stays focused as he progresses into his 30s. 

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.