With Vikings, Patrick Peterson Might Just Stay Awhile
Not long ago, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson commented that he grew up cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. Folks construed that as a hint of his eventual exodus from Minnesota to Dallas next spring.
Not so fast.
Peterson indeed enjoyed the glory-days Cowboys, but don’t rule out a Peterson return to the Vikings in 2022. And the source for this information is solid – it’s a family member. According to Peterson’s cousin, Bryant McFadden, Peterson likes Minnesota, suggesting he may stay in purple beyond this season.
McFadden played in the NFL for seven seasons, tallying two Super Bowl championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a cornerback. So, he’s not some sort of oddball family member being outlandish. His musings should be considered semi-credible.
Peterson has been an integral part of the Vikings otherwise underwhelming secondary this season. The preliminary plan for pass defense was to employ Peterson, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Mike Hughes, and Mackensie Alexander at CB – which would’ve been a deep, formidable group. But then Gladney departed the NFL due to off-the-field infractions, and Mike Hughes was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.
As a result, Minnesota was left with Peterson, Dantzler, Alexander, and Bashaud Breeland at cornerback. Breeland started every game for the Vikings through 14 weeks, only to be released last week after a physical altercation with coaches and players.
Peterson’s grade from Pro Football Focus, a 62.2, isn’t spectacular, but he truly looks competent on the field. Compared to his purple peers, Peterson seems like the most reliable and playmaking corner throughout 2021.
So when Peterson’s cousin claims the LSU alumnus wants to return for the North Star State, that’s a big deal. Under contract for 2022, Dantzler is the only cornerback assigned to the Vikings ledger. That is problematic.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”928605″ player=”26279″ title=”Topselling%20NFL%20jerseys%20Top%2010″ duration=”57″ description=”Here is a list of the top-selling NFL jerseys right now.” uploaddate=”2021-12-22″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/928524_s_1640141496829.jpg” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/928524/928524.m3u8″]
Minnesota will probably be forced to draft a cornerback – again – with high draft capital. Or perhaps general manager Rick Spielman will sign a Peterson-esque free agent in a few months. Regardless, potentially employing Dantzler and Peterson as CB building blocks this offseason is a lot better than Dantzler and nobody else.
Peterson is a leader. His presence in that role is humongous. The rest of the corners are learning, maturing, not all that great, or seemingly anonymous. The Vikings need leaders on defense, a unit that has gradually reduced prestige over the last two years.
Now, the question becomes: What kind of Vikings team would Peterson rejoin? A rebuilding squad with a new head coach, quarterback, or general manager? Or one with the same roster, relatively speaking, led by a new head coach? The Vikings philosophy heading into 2022 will largely dictate Peterson’s plans.
He shouldn’t want to be anywhere near a full rebuild at age 31.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
You must be logged in to post a comment.