Dec 8, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleats worn by Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings conducted a plethora of changes during the 2021 offseason, adding a few new coaches to Mike Zimmer’s staff while welcoming a litany of defensive free agents. The NFL draft was exciting as general manager Rick Spielman traded his 14th-overall pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Christian Darrisaw, Kellen Mond, and Wyatt Davis. The Jets used the 14th pick on USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
And then steadily throughout the summer, Spielman welcomed even more free agents from Bashaud Breeland, Sheldon Richardson, Dede Westbrook, to Everson Griffen. The available cap space never seems to shrink, a delectable budgeting outcome from Spielman and his staff.
From a national perspective, though, the Vikings best offseason move was one of their first ones in free agency – the acquisition of Patrick Peterson. That’s according to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, who authored an analysis on every NFL team’s best offseason move this week.
Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was Peterson for the Vikings, and Sobliski explained:
Patrick Peterson fell out of the public eye over the last two seasons. Once considered the game’s best cornerback, the now-31-year-old defensive back didn’t make the Pro Bowl in 2019 or 2020 after doing so eight straight seasons to start his career. Finally testing free agency this spring, Peterson signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. He immediately takes over as the Vikings’ top corner with the intent of showing he hasn’t lost a step. “I feel lighter, faster,” Peterson told NBC Sports’ Peter King. “You always hear that notion in this game that the older you get, the lighter you want to get. … I wanted to make the body as light as possible so I can get a little more agile, and come a little bit faster out of my breaks. “Peterson’s experience also helps the entire secondary. “Patrick’s had a great veteran’s impact on our guys,” head coach Mike Zimmer said, “and he’s got a little chip on his shoulder too.”
Peterson, 31, will seek rejuvenation in Minnesota as his final campaign with the Arizona Cardinals was not stellar. Here is Peterson’s career Pro Football Focus scorecard:
So, either 2020 was the beginning of the end for Peterson – or he will undergo a return to normalcy with a coach like Zimmer who squeezes every positive drop out of defensive backs. Since arriving Minnesota, Peterson jetted up the depth chart with last year’s rookies, Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney, trending down. Gladney won’t play for the Vikings in 2021 – and may not play anywhere ever again – because of an assault charge on his girlfriend in Texas. Dantzler isn’t associated with anything remotely like that, but the shine of his stock dimmed this summer based on consistency woes. Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, and Mackensie Alexander all passed Dantzler by on the depth chart, especially this August.
Sobleski’s selection of Peterson as the top offseason maneuver outdid the signing of Dalvin Tomlinson, which may prove to be even important for the defense in stifling the run. Welcoming back Everson Griffen this week has the potential to be impactful. The promotion of Klint Kubiak to offensive coordinator after his dad, Gary, retired from the Vikings will be a big deal if son Kubiak is one of the NFL’s next “young offensive minds.”
But the Peterson gridiron marriage with the Vikings is the most rousing. Often, players embark on second acts to careers, rekindling the glory years from their 20s to a reasonable facsimile in their 30s. That’s the plan for Peterson in Minnesota – and the Zimmer brand of Vikings feels like a marvelous place for it.