Ex-Vikings star Adrian Peterson, back in Twin Cities, wants to play '4 to 5 more years'

Peterson, the Vikings' star running back from 2007-16, signed autographs and wore a perpetual smile for cheering fans during an appearance at the Mall of America Macy's story.

"It feels good always coming home and getting a warm welcome," Peterson said the day before Sunday's Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium between New England and Philadelphia. "I was here for 10 years. ... At the end of the day, I'll always bleed purple. So just coming back here, I was hugging fans like people I see in training camp every year that supported me and that continue to support the Vikings."

After becoming a free agent last year when the Vikings elected not to re-sign him, Peterson signed with New Orleans. After barely playing in the first four games, he was traded to Arizona, and finished the season with 529 yards rushing in 10 games.

ArizonaSports.com recently reported that Peterson, who has one year left on his contract, will not be retained by the Cardinals.

"I don't know" about that," said Peterson, who turns 33 next month. "I haven't heard anything from the horse's mouth, but I heard the report as well. But it's just a report for now. ... If it is (true), it was great run for me and a great opportunity for me and it will be on to the next. But hopefully that's not the case."

Peterson has talked in the past about wanting to play until he's 40. Here's what he says now about his career longevity: "I think I would want to play maybe four more years, four to five more years," he said.

"At the end of the day, I know I can play. If you watch football, as far as being an evaluator of talent, if a guy has something left in the tank, I feel like he was able to see that I can still play the game."

With Peterson gone, the Vikings went 13-3 in 2017 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game before losing 38-7 at Philadelphia. Peterson admitted he initially wasn't thrilled about the Vikings being one game away from playing without him in the Super Bowl in the Twin Cities.

"It didn't feel good, but it felt good when I thought about (former teammates) Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Coach (Mike Zimmer)," Peterson said.

Peterson also mentioned Tom Johnson, Danielle Hunter and Andrew Sendejo, Vikings players who have worked out with him during the offseason in Houston, where he makes his home.

"The guys that I was around for 10-plus years, it felt good to see them in the position," Peterson said.

Peterson said it was "bittersweet" watching two of his former teams play in the Jan. 14 divisional playoff game, when the Vikings beat the Saints 29-24 on Case Keenum's final-play touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs.

"Well, I was like, 'Well, at least one of them will be going home,' " Peterson cracked.

Peterson also talked about Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who suffered a torn ACL in August 2016. Peterson was excited to see Bridgewater return to play in one game in 2017 and is hopeful he can return to his old form.

"I'm hoping the best for Teddy," Peterson said. "He's a kid that I loved from the moment he stepped into the building. He's just a positive guy. He's a good soulful person, and he's genuine. And to see him have that type of injury he had, to able come back, I'm just hoping he has that same type of impact once he gets back on the field."