Patrick Peterson to part ways with Cardinals in free agency

The Arizona Cardinals are expected to part ways with cornerback Patrick Peterson in free agency, according to FanSided National NFL Reporter Matt Verderame.

Peterson, the Cardinals No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 Draft, has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last decade.

He made an instant impact as a rookie on special teams, tying an NFL record with four punt return touchdowns in a single season. Peterson shares the record with Jack Christiansen (1951), Devin Hester (2007), and Rick Upchurch (1976).

The following season, Peterson enjoyed the best year of his NFL career setting career highs with seven interceptions and 16 passes defensed.

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In his 10 years with the Cardinals, he had 487 tackles, 28 interceptions, 91 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown. He played in 128 consecutive games before snapping the streak in 2019 due to his PED suspension. Peterson was selected to eight consecutive Pro Bowls (2011-18) as well as a First-Team All-Pro three times.

Through 154 games as a Cardinal, Peterson will go down as one of the greatest players in their history and, without a doubt, will be inducted into their Ring of Honor when he retires.

With the Cardinals limited cap space going into 2021 and Peterson’s decline, parting ways with the veteran cornerback seemed inevitable.

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Though he struggled for a good part of the 2020 season, Peterson still has plenty to offer to other NFL teams. He is still one of the better man coverage cornerbacks in the NFL. He brings size (6-1 203lbs), plenty of experience, and will only be 31 in August.

Peterson might not be the same player that he once was as a shutdown cornerback but he still has some juice left in the tank. He is coming off a three interception season after all.

The only veteran cornerbacks under contract for the Cardinals are Byron Murphy and Robert Alford, though he is expected to be released prior to free agency. Jonathan Joseph, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Kevin Peterson are scheduled to be free agents as well.

The Cardinals will need to add cornerbacks via the NFL Draft, free agency, and/or trade with Peterson’s expected departure and others with expiring contracts.

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If the reports are true, Thank you Patrick Peterson for an incredible 10 years with the Arizona Cardinals!