Adrian Peterson was once the most feared running back in football — a generational talent who bulldozed defenders, shattered records, and looked destined for a smooth ride into the Hall of Fame. Over 15 seasons, he racked up more than $103 million in NFL salary, making him the highest-paid running back in league history.
And yet, today, Adrian Peterson is a cautionary tale.
Despite earning a fortune, Peterson has spent the past several years drowning in lawsuits, saddled with massive debt, and now facing fresh legal trouble after a 2025 DWI arrest in Minnesota.
How did it all fall apart?
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NFL Earnings
Adrian Peterson entered the NFL with sky-high expectations — and he didn’t disappoint. Drafted 7th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, he was seen as a rare combination of size, speed, and power — a throwback to old-school, between-the-tackles running backs with the burst to outrun cornerbacks in the open field.
Peterson made an immediate impact, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, setting a single-game rushing record with 296 yards, and quickly establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Vikings’ offense. And with that dominance came massive paydays.
His rookie deal was lucrative by mid-2000s standards, but it was only the beginning. As his star rose, so did his contracts — culminating in record-breaking deals that redefined how the NFL valued running backs.
Here’s a breakdown of his major contracts:
- 2007: Signed a 5-year, $40.5 million rookie deal with the Vikings
- 2011: Inked a 6-year, $86.2 million extension — the largest running back contract in NFL history at the time
- 2015: Restructured into a 3-year, $42 million deal to keep him in Minnesota into his 30s
- 2017–2020: Signed additional contracts with four teams:
- 2017: 2-year, $7 million deal with the Saints (traded to Cardinals midseason)
- 2018: 1-year veteran minimum deal (~$1 million) with Washington
- 2019: 2-year, $8 million extension with Washington
- 2020: 1-year, $1.05 million deal with the Detroit Lions
Over the course of his career, Peterson earned more than $103 million in salary — a staggering amount for any player, but especially for a position historically undervalued in the salary cap era. At his peak, he was not only the best running back in football — he was also the best-paid.
But as history has shown time and again, even nine-figure careers can be undone by what happens off the field.
The Collapse: Lawsuits, Loans, and Missing Millions
By 2019, troubling signs had emerged. Peterson’s attorney confirmed the running back was essentially broke, having trusted the wrong people with his money.
Court records revealed a cascade of bad loans:
In 2016, Peterson took out a $2.4 million loan in Maryland. After five months, he defaulted. He was ultimately ordered to pay $600,000.
Around the same time, he took out a staggering $5.2 million loan from a Pennsylvania lender. That loan — reportedly used to repay other short-term debts — ballooned to $6.6 million with interest and fees.
The loans were meant to patch over poor financial decisions. Instead, they pulled Peterson deeper into the hole. His net worth evaporated almost as quickly as it had been earned.
His lawyer said it simply: “This is yet another situation of an athlete trusting the wrong people and being taken advantage of by those he trusted.”
Real Estate: Liquidating Assets to Stay Afloat
As his financial situation worsened, Peterson began offloading real estate.
In 2013, Adrian paid a bit over $5 million for a home in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. He listed this home for sale in 2016 for $8.5 million. He did not get any takers at that price. He finally had to accept just $4.5 million in December 2020.
In 2016, he paid $3.44 million for a second home in Houston, this one in the upscale Rivercrest Estates area. He listed this home in August 2019 for $6.5 million. The sprawling 11,384-square-foot home sits on 3.5 acres and came equipped with 11 bedrooms, a wine bar, aquarium, private movie theater, indoor basketball court, gym, hydrotherapy tanks, a putting green, and a four-bedroom guesthouse. He finally accepted $3.5 – $4 million in June 2021 (the exact sale price was not disclosed).
Selling off high-end properties in a short period is often a last resort for cash-strapped athletes. In Peterson’s case, these liquidations almost certainly went toward covering legal fees and repaying debts.
Legal Trouble: A Pattern Emerges
Peterson’s problems haven’t been strictly financial.
In 2014, he was indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child after using a tree branch to discipline his 4-year-old son. He pleaded no contest and avoided jail time, but the incident led to a major NFL suspension and public backlash.
In 2018, he stirred more controversy by stating that he still used a belt to discipline his kids.
Then came April 2025.
Just hours after appearing at a Vikings NFL Draft celebration, Peterson was arrested for DWI. According to police, he was driving 83 mph in a 55 zone. His blood alcohol level was .14, well above the legal limit. He was booked and released on $4,000 bond. He’s due back in court on May 9.
A Legacy Complicated
There’s no question Adrian Peterson was one of the greatest to ever carry a football. His career stats and highlight reel still dazzle. He’ll likely end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But the second chapter of his life — the one that should have been cushioned by generational wealth — is instead riddled with lawsuits, debt, and now criminal charges.
He earned over $100 million. Today, he has little to show for it.
