A year ago RB Adrian Peterson was available on the free agency market and the Bucs were apparently one of the teams taking a good look at him before psas\sing on him. Now, it’s 2018 and the same scenario exists, and Tampa Bay may be ready to take a small gamble on bringing the future Hall of Famer in for one last try.

More on that coming up.

First, during the 2017 off season Peterson had been released by the Vikings in a salary cap move, yet was definitely in demand to land somewhere. And that original somewhere ended up being with the New Orleans Saints. However, he didn’t last long as the Saints had rookie Alvin Kamara emerging and Peterson’s time on the field quickly dwindled.

Peterson, nicknamed “AD” for “All Day,” as in “I’m going to run through, around and to the endzone faster than you, ‘All Day,'” didn’t carry the ball 10 times in any of the Saints first four games.

So, they traded Peterson to the Arizona Cardinals in October.

Almost immediately after coming to the Cards, he destroyed the Buccaneers in his debut (above) with 26 carries for 134 yards and 2 TDs, as they routed Tampa Bay. “AD” would have another 159 yard rushing day two weeks later in a win over the 49ers. However, he never sustained that success and a neck injury ended his 2017 after week 10.

It also ended his time with the Cardinals.

So, Peterson is 33 years old, and looking, again for a home.

And Tampa Bay might be just what he and they are both looking for this year.

Even though the Bucs have young RB Peyton Barber, who has two years in coach Dirk Koetter’s system, and drafted USC speedster Ronald Jones last month, Peterson, when healthy, might fit the short term veteran role.

Not unlike the Dolphins bringing in 34 year old Miami native Frank Gore, to a backfield with RBs Kenyan Drake and recently drafted Kalen Ballage, Peterson would bring experience and leadership to the young backs.

And, one critical relationship is with Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, whom Peterson has spent off seasons, like 2017, working out with on the West Coast, etc.

Jameis Winston working out with Adrian Peterson; Dirk Koetter 'anxious' to hear about it. https://t.co/OY8fByQiwH pic.twitter.com/YGvfSHOIXF — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 30, 2017

And, just like the Fins bringing in Gore, Peterson will come at a bargain financially, at this point and it would be a low risk move.

Now, there are certainly other contending teams, Jacksonville for one, and the Seahawks for another, that could use him for short term solution in 2018. And, “AD” has been letting everyone know recently, that he’s still a physical monster in the workout room:

Will the Bucs be interested with all the leverage in their favor for a short term inexpensive deal?

We will find out soon enough.