Future Hall of Fame corner Patrick Peterson is leaving the Arizona Cardinals after spending 10 years with the organization. According to multiple reports, Peterson agreed to join the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal earlier this week.
Peterson, who became a free agent for the first time in his career, will reportedly earn $10 million in 2021.
The Cardinals publicly said earlier this year that they intended to re-sign Peterson, but it is unclear whether they made a real push to make it happen. The sides haven’t been on the best terms in recent years, with the 30-year-old veteran even asking for a trade early in the 2018 season.
At the time, Peterson was reportedly unhappy with the direction in which the franchise is going and had issues with the team’s struggles on the field. While the three-time All-Pro later withdrew his request, the relationship between him and the Cardinals front office remained fractured.
With the Vikings, Peterson will have a chance to make a fresh start and play a central role in the team’s secondary. He will also bring veteran leadership to an inexperienced corner corps that features second-year players Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler.
Peterson earned eight Pro Bowl nods during his time in Arizona and was selected into the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He has 499 career tackles to go with 91 pass deflections, 28 interceptions, and five defensive touchdowns.
