Adrian Peterson says the Vikings will make the playoffs this season.
In a conversation with KFAN’s Paul Allen posted on the Vikings’ website Wednesday morning, the 30-year-old running back was asked if he felt confident enough in the team’s abilities to declare they will get to the postseason.
“I do,” Peterson said. “I feel like we have great potential. We have great talent. … It’s really about as a team, us putting in the effort and us putting in the time to get there. We have what it takes to make it into the playoffs and give ourselves a chance.”
Peterson, who is in Winter Park for the Vikings’ mandatory mini camp this week, had high praise for head coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and the rest of the roster.
“Since I’ve been back, I’ve been able to see a lot of talent. A lot of young talent,” he said.
.@adrianpeterson sits down with @PAOnTheMic to talk about the current #Vikings team.
WATCH: http://t.co/6ylApxrlAD pic.twitter.com/xfepiGOFuL
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 17, 2015
Bridgewater’s improvement will be key in 2015. Peterson said things should be easier for the 22-year-old in his second year. When asked if Bridgewater had the ability to be great, like Favre, Peterson said his talent and potential can get him there.
“His ability to see the field. He’s not a guy that just locks in on one side. He’s able to read his reads, and get back to the backside if needed or check the ball down,” Peterson said. “You normally don’t see that with a first-year quarterback.”
Bridgewater and Peterson have never played a regular season NFL game together, by the way, with the running back missing the final 15 games of the season – something he said was “very difficult.”
“Not being out there with my teammates, I kind of felt like I let those guys down,” Peterson explained. “Seeing how much my presence would impact the game. That was the toughest part, sitting at home and watching those guys kind of struggle.”
Make sure to click through to the video to hear what else Peterson had to say.
The Vikings’ mandatory mini camp continues with day two Wednesday. They’ll wrap up Thursday, and that’ll be it until training camp starts in Mankato next month.
