Adrian Peterson Net Worth & Career Earnings
Recent talk of Adrian Peterson’s desire to return to the NFL raises the obvious questions about his longevity and past success as a running back. I wanted to take some time a discuss Adrian Peterson’s net worth along with career stats, earnings, and the changing outlook for running backs in the NFL.
How Much is Adrian Peterson’s Net Worth ?
As of 2024, Peterson’s total net worth sits around $1 million according to several sources.
Adrian Peterson Net Worth
The financial struggles and pitfalls encountered by Adrian Peterson have been widely publicized through the years. Despite property seizures and recent lawsuits, he has managed to maintain at least $1 million in total net worth since leaving the NFL a few years ago.
Business Ventures & Legal Issues
Here’s a look at the details of the legal issues surrounding Adrian Peterson in recent years:
- In 2021, Peterson was hit with an $8.3 million judgment for an unpaid loan from 2016.
- A court-appointed receiver is attempting to collect on the judgment by seizing Peterson’s assets.
- Peterson’s personal items, including his MVP and Rookie of the Year trophies, were advertised for auction. Peterson claims he didn’t authorize the sale and plans to take legal action. The receiver accuses Peterson of trying to avoid payment by transferring ownership of storage units to his wife.
- The original $5.2 million loan from DeAngelo Vehicle Sales (DVS) in 2016 has grown to over $10 million with interest and fees.
- Peterson disputes some of the receiver’s claims and actions, including the attempted seizure of a piano.
- In September of 2024, Peterson was ordered to turn over numerous assets in order to pay down the debt that has reached upwards of $12 million due to interest and attorneys’ fees.
Adrian Peterson NFL Career Earnings
During his time in the NFL, Adrian Peterson has amassed $103,215,972 through the 2024 season. This impressive figure spans his career across seven different teams, with the majority earned during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson’s earnings peaked in the middle of his career, particularly during his prime years with the Minnesota Vikings. His earnings decreased in later years as he moved between teams, but he continued to command respectable salaries even in his 30s.
How Much Money Did Adrian Peterson Make in the NFL?
Over his career, Peterson earned an impressive $103,215,972 million in salary, bonuses, and incentives.
Career Earnings by Team
| Team | Seasons | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 10 | $94,708,319 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | $705,882 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | $2,794,118 |
| Washington Redskins | 2 | $3,545,000 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | $1,153,765 |
| Tennessee Titans | 1 | $129,722 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | $179,166 |
RELATED: MINNESOTA VIKINGS FRANCHISE VALUATION
Career Earnings Breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $65,380,359 |
| Signing Bonuses | $19,000,000 |
| Roster Bonuses | $7,255,000 |
| Restructure Bonuses | $4,000,000 |
| Workout Bonuses | $1,250,000 |
| Incentives | $2,555,613 |
| Option Bonuses | $3,775,000 |
| Total | $103,215,972 |
Notable Years
- 2011: Highest single-year earnings at $20,500,000
- 2013: Highest base salary at $11,250,000
- 2007: Rookie year with $6,990,000 total cash, including a $3,000,000 signing bonus
RELATED: JULIAN EDELMAN NET WORTH & CAREER EARNINGS
Adrian Peterson Career Stats
Selected seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings at the 2007 Draft, Peterson came into the league with high expectations and some legitimate concerns about his durability. He would go on to become remarkably successful, as the first player to score a rushing touchdown for six different teams.
Peterson’s career stats at running back:
- 14,918 Rushing Yards (5th all time )
- 3,230 Carries
- 120 Rushing Touchdowns
- 296 Yards in One Game (NFL Record)
- NFL MVP ( 2012)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012)
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year ( 2007)
- 4x- First-Team All Pro (2008,2009,2012,2015)
- 3x – NFL Rushing Yards Leader ( 2008,2012, 2015)
- 2x- NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader ( 2009,2015)
After a decade in Minnesota, Peterson’s time with the Vikings ended. He then played for the Cardinals, Saints, Titans, Washington Football Team, Lions, and Seahawks in his later years. While he did well , he never lived up to the massive success of his time with the Vikings.
The Evolving NFL and Running Backs
Adrian Peterson’s impact on the NFL is undeniable. As the league continues to evolve, the question remains: can a player like Peterson find a role in the modern game? Only time will tell if the future holds a place for running backs of his caliber.
Running backs today face shorter careers due to the physical toll of the position. Additionally, the rise of pass-heavy offenses has devalued the traditional workhorse running back role.
Many teams now employ a “running back by committee” approach, utilizing multiple backs with different skillsets. This strategy has pros and cons compared to relying on a single workhorse back.
All things considered, this leaves little room for an aging running backs like Adrian but stranger things have happened.
