NFL.com Predicts Vikings’ Next Hall of Famer

The Minnesota Vikings inducted running back Adrian Peterson into their Ring of Honor this month, and NFL.com says the Hall of Fame is next.

That website sized up the next Hall of Famer from each NFL team this week, and for Minnesota, Peterson represented a no-brainer selection.

Peterson’s Minnesota Resume Still Towers over the Franchise

NFL.com: Peterson Is Next HOFer in Minnesota

Peterson’s case for Canton is airtight.

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm wrote this week, “The Minnesota Vikings recently announced they will be inducting Adrian Peterson into the franchise’s Ring of Honor, and the four-time All-Pro running back is just a year away from being eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It would be a surprise if Peterson doesn’t go in on the first ballot.”

“‘All Day’ was a rare running back MVP (for this era) and one of the most explosive runners of his or any other time, holding the single-game rushing record (296 yards) and author of arguably the best single season by a back in 2012. Kevin Williams was a finalist in 2026 and appears to have a strong case, but Peterson is a slam-dunk selection in his first year of eligibility in 2027.”

This one won’t need much debate; the masses universally exalt Peterson’s career.

So .. Duh

A no-brainer, in fact. Unless Peterson has an egregious legal matter in the next year or so — so bad that it would spook Hall of Fame voters — he’s an automatic Hall of Fame bid. Peterson’s running style was not seen in the NFL before him, and no one since has replicated it, though Derrick Henry might be similar, albeit at reduced speed.

It should not be a hot take for Peterson to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He earned it and then some.

This montage surfaces on social media once every couple of months, and it never gets old. Have a look-see:

Career Resume and Merits

Peterson’s resume remains a benchmark in the sport, even as Henry ascends the all-time lists. The former Vikings running back ranks fifth in NFL history with 14,918 rushing yards, maintaining a lead over Henry by approximately 1,900 yards. However, at Henry’s current pace, that gap could close in just two more healthy seasons from Henry. Last year, Henry surpassed Peterson in rushing touchdowns, reaching 122, while Peterson remains fifth all-time with 120.

Peterson also holds a record that may stand for decades: 296 rushing yards in a single game against the San Diego Chargers in 2007. That mark will be tough to surpass.

His full NFL journey includes:

• Minnesota Vikings (2007–2016)
• New Orleans Saints (2017)
• Arizona Cardinals (2017)
• Washington Redskins (2018–2019)
• Detroit Lions (2020)
• Tennessee Titans (2021)
• Seattle Seahawks (2021)

Most of his impact came during his time in Minnesota. Peterson played 123 games for the Vikings, rushing for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

He later moved around the league, refusing to fade quietly and adding enough late-career production to keep his name prominent in NFL history.

A noteworthy Vikings-related tidbit: Peterson crossed paths with current Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell during their time together in Washington from 2018 to 2019, years before O’Connell took the helm in Minneapolis.

Other NFC North HOF Hopefuls

Edholm outlined these former NFC Northers as Hall of Fame candidates, too:

• Chicago Bears: Lance Briggs (LB) | Charles Tillman (CB)
• Detroit Lions: Lomas Brown (OT)
• Green Bay Packers: Jack Vainisi (Contributor)

If you’re wondering who Vainisi is, Edholm explained: “Aaron Rodgers will be a first-ballot candidate in six years, and now-eligible Clay Matthews has support after a shorter career but a dominant seven-year stretch. However, there is real HOF impetus for the brilliant, oft-forgotten Vainisi, who arguably isn’t even the most famous person in his family.”

“Younger brother Jerry was the general manager for the Super Bowl-winning Bears in 1985, but Jack’s impact on the game — with the rival Packers — is unquestioned. Considered one of the modern forefathers of player scouting, Vainisi created from scratch an entire scouting blueprint and oversaw the acquisition of eight Hall of Famers, including Bart Starr, Forrest Gregg, Paul Hornung, Ray Nitschke, Jim Taylor and others over an 11-year span.”

Most folks have never heard of Vainisi.

“Vainisi also was instrumental in bringing Vince Lombardi to Green Bay in 1959, setting up the Packers’ utter dominance of the 1960s. Sadly, Vainisi didn’t get to enjoy the fruits of his labor, dying at age 33 of a heart attack. The grassroots ‘Team Vainisi’ movement has swelled in recent years, making the overlooked genius a darkhorse HOF candidate.”

Peterson’s case for the Hall of Fame will heat up later this year.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker