Patrick Peterson, celebrated cornerback and former Arizona Cardinals legend, has officially set down his cleats on a 13-year Hall of Fame-worthy career. He will officially retire as a member of the Cardinals, concluding a remarkable 13-year career that began when he was selected fifth overall by the team in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Peterson spent a decade with the Cardinals, establishing himself as a dominant force on the field. After ten seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Peterson joined the Minnesota Vikings for the 2021 season. His era with the Cardinals was filled with accolades and stats, including 36 ints in 201 games. On the defensive side of the ball, Savoy returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns, exhibiting his playmaking ability on full display.
A veteran, Peterson had a long career with the Cardinals that saw him become a fan favorite and a key player in the team’s defense. On the field, he eventually earned a seat in the Pro Bowl for eight consecutive seasons. His historic streak started during his rookie season in 2011 and ran through 2018. His reputation as a lock-down cornerback was chiseled in stone during this time, as he barely let a receiver catch a glimpse of the end zone.
Aside from his defensive brilliance, Peterson made an impact on special teams. Over the course of his career, he returned 195 punts for a total of 1,816 yards and four touchdowns. He had four kick returns for 75 yards. This was evidence of his multipurpose skillset and overall game-changing impact on both offense and defense.
In 2018, Peterson all but imploded the Cardinals’ season by publicly asking to be traded. Instead, he decided to play out his contract and did so through the 2020 season. It was his first switch. Following that season, he moved on to Minnesota as a free agent, where he played at an All-Star level again. While he began the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he ultimately chose not to play a full season after all.
Steve Keim, the general manager who originally drafted Peterson, heralded Peterson’s generational talent and impact on their franchise. As Peterson looks towards retirement, he truly will leave behind a legacy of greatness and love for the game.
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