Eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson reVeal why he would love to return to Steelers for 2024 season
Patrick Peterson has expressed a desire to return to Pittsburgh for the 2024 season. The eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback wants to re-sign with the Steelers, who released him in March to clear cap space before free agency begins.
Peterson, who turns 34 in July, inked a two-year, $14 million contract with the Steelers last offseason. He has two interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2023 while playing both safety and cornerback.
Peterson stated that, in addition to wanting to play under Mike Tomlin, he wants to return to Pittsburgh for family reasons.
“We still have time left on the table,” Peterson recently stated on “The Jim Rome Show.” “Hopefully, I can do something with the Steelers. That is the team I would most like to play for because I admire Coach Tomlin.”
Peterson would most likely have to take a backup role in Pittsburgh, as Joey Porter Jr. and veteran Donte Jackson presently hold the starting slots. While Peterson’s career will most likely be honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, last season shown that he is no longer the top cornerback he was. That became obvious early in the season, when 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk repeatedly burned him during San Francisco’s Week 1 blowout victory over the Steelers.
Peterson may no longer be in his prime, but he’s still a solid, savvy defender who especially showed his worth when he filled in at deep safety late in the year when Minkah Fitzpatrick was sidelined with injuries. Peterson played well at his new position and played an integral role in the Steelers winning their last three games to make the playoffs.
“I feel like I’m a safety at heart because I’m a big talker,” Peterson said late in the season, via the Steelers website. “I’m a communicator, so being at corner, it’s kind of hard to communicate with guys. Being at the safety position, being a key component of the communication to everyone, that felt very natural to me.”
Despite those quotes, Peterson said earlier this offseason that he doesn’t want to be a starting safety, even if that would possibly prolong his career a couple of more years. It appears, though, that Peterson may reconsider if that means a second stint with the Steelers, who would likely welcome him back for the right price and if Peterson is willing to be a backup at both cornerback and safety.
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