MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Adrian Peterson is maybe the closest thing to a certainty the Minnesota Vikings have to feature this season.

The biggest question isn’t about this year, but rather what’s ahead for one of the best running backs in the game.

It’s the heat of August and it’s football practice, which is just the way Peterson likes it.

“I’m used to it. I worked out in Houston so it’s a lot more humid down there,” Peterson said.

Somewhat lost in the Vikings transition after the Brett Favre era is that they still feature maybe the best running back in football. And when you ask Peterson, he thinks he’s not even in his prime yet.

“Is this as good as you will ever be in terms of having everything?” WCCO-TV’s Mike Max asked Peterson.

“No because there’s always room to improve and with time comes more wisdom. At the point I’m at now, I feel like I’m a lot wiser when it comes to football,” Peterson said. “I’m definitely a better football player than I was when I stepped into the league.”

“When you see guys that are at his caliber and his level and you see them continuing to work, even as a veteran that drives you to continue to be better and continue to work, and that’s what’s good about Adrian and it’s what will take him far in this league,” said defensive end Jared Allen. “That’s why he is one of the best and will be one of the best forever.”

The biggest question left for Peterson is if this will be his final year in a Vikings uniform. That’s what has become interesting is his long term future. It’s something he thinks about, but something he understands is that he only controls a part of the process.

He could become a free agent after this season, and that creates some uncertainty for the Vikings.

“Like I said during training camp, I put that aside and focus on the season and do what I can to help this team win a championship,” Peterson said.