The Kansas City Chiefs were in on free agent RB Adrian Peterson according to a new report.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Chiefs “showed some level of interest” in signing Adrian Peterson. Kansas City Star reporter Herbie Teope later confirmed the report. Peterson was released by the Washington Football Team earlier this week and signed with the Detroit Lions this morning.
Fowler says the big hurdle that Kansas City couldn’t get over was the turnaround of their upcoming season opener against the Texans. Given the new COVID-19 guidelines, players must go through at least three days of screening before they’re permitted to join a new team. The team seemed to be unwilling to waste a roster spot on someone who wouldn’t likely be able to suit up and play in Week 1.
Chiefs showed some level of interest in Adrian Peterson this week – OC Eric Bieniemy was his long-time running backs coach in Minnesota — but the Thursday night game was too tough a turnaround to seriously consider.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 6, 2020
Part of the reason the Chiefs maintained an interest in Peterson was because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The 35-year-old running back previously played under Bieniemy, who was running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings, from 2007 through 2010. Peterson was named first or second-team All-Pro in each of those four years.
Obviously, the Chiefs didn’t land Peterson, but it’s worth noting that they’re still looking for some help in the running back room. Brett Veach said this afternoon that the team wanted to bring DeAndre Washington back if he cleared waivers. They could also look to work out another free agent running back after the season opener.
