CB Patrick Peterson Announces NFL Retirement
Peterson was last on an NFL roster more than a year ago. The Steelers released the veteran cornerback on March 8 after he completed just one season of his two-year deal.
Before his release, there was some talk of Peterson moving to safety in his second season with the team. But the Steelers valued the additional salary cap space with his release over switching the veteran to a new position.
The Steelers originally signed Peterson to a two-year, $14 million contract early in 2023 NFL free agency.
Peterson wasn’t the same player in Pittsburgh as he was in Arizona. In his first five seasons from 2011-15, Peterson made first-team All-Pro three times. Peterson also made the Pro Bowl eight consecutive times to begin his career.
For the early NFL dominance, Peterson made the 2010s All-NFL decade team.
In 10 seasons with the Cardinals, the cornerback posted 28 interceptions and 91 pass defenses. During that time, Peterson was arguably the top cornerback in the NFL.
Patrick Peterson Says Goodbye to the Cardinals
The Steelers will be able to lay claim to the cornerback’s final NFL season. But obviously, Peterson will be remembered for his Cardinals tenure.
For that reason, he fittingly returned to Arizona for his NFL farewell.
“It was a no-brainer,” Peterson said of announcing his retirement in Arizona, via Shook. “You know, there was a lot of things said and, you know, it wasn’t the greatest departure, but at the end of the day this is where my legacy is — this is where my legacy started.
“Me and (Cardinals owner) Mr. (Michael) Bidwill had an opportunity to have conversations leading up to this and, like I said, it was a no-brainer because being able to achieve some of the things that I achieved as an Arizona Cardinal, only so many people had the opportunity to do that, like going to eight straight Pro Bowls, a three-time All-Pro one time as a specialist — being named to the 2010 All-Decade team.
“So, my career is here. It lives here. So, like I said, it was a no-brainer for me to come back here and retire a Cardinal where it all started.”
The Cardinals drafted Peterson at No. 5 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Only wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald earned more Pro Bowl nominations with the Cardinals than Peterson. Since 1971, Peterson is the leader in first-team All-Pro nominations in franchise history.
