A computer-implemented method for adaptively performing backup operations may include 1) identifying a storage system used for storage by at least one application, 2) identifying a request to perform a backup operation including at least one input/output operation on the storage system, 3) determining that an input/output capacity of the storage system has fallen below a predetermined threshold, and 4) delaying the input/output operation in response to determining that the input/output capacity of the storage system has fallen below the predetermined threshold. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.