On March 8th, the Pittsburgh Steelers allegedly released Patrick Peterson, a 13-year veteran cornerback. He was on the team for a year.
Peterson is a true Louisiana football legend. Peterson, originally from Pompano Beach, Florida, played for the LSU Tigers from 2008 to 2010. He is still considered one of the top defensive players in LSU history.
During his time at LSU, he received the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player in the nation and the Jim Thorpe Award as the greatest defensive back. He played one season at LSU alongside current New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu.
The 33-year-old Peterson is an eight-time Pro Bowler who has appeared for three NFL teams. Despite being a possible Hall of Famer, Peterson’s performance has declined in recent years.
Last season, Pittsburgh’s hopes for the veteran were not met. He appeared in all seventeen games, totaling 42 solo tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections.
The Steelers saved $6.5 million by releasing Peterson with one year remaining on his two-year contract. So, why would the Saints sign a fading and costly veteran?
The Saints’ cornerback room is somewhat stable but sometimes unsettled. With the future of pro bowler Marshon Lattimore uncertain, providing senior backing to young players Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor could be useful. Regardless of Lattimore’s future, the cornerback position may benefit from more depth and leadership.
Peterson’s tenure in Pittsburgh may have shown that his starting days are behind him; the veteran is only 33 years old and has played two consecutive 17-game seasons while remaining healthy. He can still be a productive cornerback and add value to an NFL defense.
His 2022 season with the Minnesota Vikings marked his finest statistical season since 2012 with the Arizona Cardinals. He has 15 pass deflections, 56 solo tackles, and 5 interceptions. Despite a noticeable drop in 2023, Peterson is hardly an elderly relic far removed from his hall-of-fame peak.
Although pricey, Peterson’s greatest ROI may be in mentorship and culture rather than performance.
Tyrann Mathieu has clearly had a cultural impact on the team. He has not only accepted a seasoned leadership role, but he has also embraced the New Orleans culture, which he is obviously familiar with. In 2024, Peterson might play a similar role as a cultural leader both on and off the field.
In conclusion, Peterson might be an intriguing depth addition to the Saints’ cornerback group. If Marshon Lattimore retires, he might be the veteran addition the team requires to complement Taylor and Adebo. He’s costly, but he still has a lot to give, but perhaps not as a CB1. Regardless of Lattimore’s status, the Saints should consider Patrick Peterson.
