Former Steelers DB Patrick Peterson Sends A Grateful Message To The Organization: 'Something I Wanted To Do'

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to release eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson this offseason. Peterson, who joined the Steelers for the 2023 season, is now 33 and in the latter stages of his career. Although the Steelers are ready to move on, there are whispers that they might reach out to him if a need arises. 

In the 2023 season, Peterson transitioned from his usual role as a cornerback to safety amid team injuries and suspensions. Despite these challenges, he embodied the spirit of the Steelers, earning the affection of fans and media alike. Over the season, he started 16 games, secured two interceptions, defended 11 passes, and made 42 combined tackles. The Steelers, looking to rejuvenate their cornerback lineup, are opting for younger players at this position.

Although Peterson is currently reluctant to play safety for the Steelers unless given ample notice to prepare, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to demonstrate his versatility as a defensive back. He discussed this transition and his future prospects in the league on The U-Goboy Podcast this past Monday, sharing insights into his mindset during the pivotal shift in the 2023 season.

"It is something that I wouldn't have even thought about early on in my career. Just understanding the way that the game is going, how teams are kind of constructing their team with youth and speed. So I felt like at some point if I wanted to continue to play at a high level, it may become time for a position change.”

Peterson expressed confidence in his continued ability to compete in the NFL during his podcast appearance. Early in the discussion, he emphasized his gratitude towards the Steelers organization for welcoming him. He also expressed appreciation for the opportunity they provided to showcase his versatility as a defensive back.

"I still feel like I can keep up with those young guys last year. I just feel like I always been one of those players that you can plug-and-play anywhere, and I just thank the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me the opportunity because that is something I wanted to do."

Peterson's illustrious NFL career began as a first-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals, where he left a significant impact over his 10 seasons. During this time, he was named to eight Pro Bowl teams and earned All-Pro honors three times. After two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he joined the Steelers for the 2023 season. Throughout his impressive career, he has started in 200 of his 201 games played.

While the Steelers continue to seek improvements at the cornerback position, it seems unlikely they would re-sign Peterson to play cornerback. They might consider him for the safety position if they sought depth at a reasonable cost. However, the team's preference appears to be in favor of younger players in these roles. Although Peterson had a solid season with the Steelers, his performance has inevitably been affected by age. At 33, the fast-paced nature of the league and the Steelers' strategic direction led to their decision to part ways.

Steelers Could Use A Veteran In The Room To Help Their Defensive Backs

Steelers fans are keeping a watchful eye to see if Pittsburgh decides to reengage with Peterson. The team currently has several young and untested players in their defensive backfield, and Peterson's return as a veteran leader could be invaluable to the organization. 

The Steelers are excited about the potential of Joey Porter Jr., and having him learn from Peterson for a season was highly beneficial for his development. With players like Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush lacking experience, the idea of bringing Peterson back could make sense to further mentor these younger talents.

Although Peterson has not yet signed with another team, he has mentioned discussions with various teams. Regardless of the outcome, his single season in Pittsburgh was a positive experience both for him and for the fans who enjoyed his presence during the 2023 season.