The Pittsburgh Steelers recently released cornerback Patrick Peterson in order to clear some cap space in preparation for the new league year, but the door is apparently open for the veteran to return.
During an appearance on NFL Network this week, Peterson said he is hoping to be back with the Steelers in 2024.
“I would love to return back to Pittsburgh,” Peterson said, via Kevin Patra of NFL media. “Me and coach [Mike] Tomlin had a great dialogue when I got that dreaded call of being released. But being there in Pittsburgh I had the time of my life, being with coach Tomlin, seeing how he was able to get his guys up week in and week out, no matter what the circumstances were, he told me the door’s still open for business, so we’ll see what happens here in the next couple weeks and month or two, and hopefully I can be a Pittsburgh Steeler again. But a team that is looking for a veteran corner, I’m out there. I definitely want to give it another shot to fulfill my long dream and to go win a championship.”
Of course, things have changed slightly since Peterson’s release, as Pittsburgh acquired fellow cornerback Donte Jackson in the trade that sent wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.
Is there still a spot for Peterson in the Steelers’ cornerback room? It remains to be seen.
Peterson initially joined Pittsburgh last March. He went on to play in every game with the club this past season, registering 42 tackles, a couple of interceptions and 11 passes defended.
While he was a far cry from the elite defensive back he once was, he was still serviceable, so he could probably still help the Steelers next year.
The 33-year-old, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the fifth overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.
He spent the first decade of his career with the Cardinals, making eight trips to the Pro Bowl and earning three First-Team All-Pro selections.
Patrick Peterson then spent a couple of years with the Minnesota Vikings before landing in Pittsburgh.
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