Ronnie Hillman's NOT going to the Vikings to fill the shoes of future HOFer Adrian Peterson ... he's goin' to help them win a Super Bowl, the newly signed RB tells TMZ Sports.
We talked to Hillman -- who was signed in the wake of reports that Peterson needs surgery and could miss the rest of the season -- about stepping in for one of the greatest backs of all-time.
"I'm not here to replace anyone. I'm just here to be me," Hillman told us. "I'm excited.