Patrick Peterson Provides Update on Future with Vikings
Leave the decision up to him, and cornerback Patrick Peterson wants to return to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2022 season.
But the team’s new leadership has to ask first.
Peterson has reiterated a couple of times this offseason his longing to remain with the Vikings after a relatively successful 2021 campaign. He tabulated a 63.0 grade from Pro Football Focus last season, acting as the most consistent cornerback on the roster. Cameron Dantzler was in the Mike Zimmer doghouse for a couple of months, Bashaud Breeland was erratic (in more ways than one), Mackensie Alexander struggled, and Jeff Gladney was cut before the season began.
On his podcast this week, Peterson said on his future with the Vikings:
“I stand where I stood in December. I loved everything about Minnesota. At the end of the day, the ball’s in their court now if they want me back.”
Patrick Peterson | All Things Covered Podcast
So, it sounds like Minnesota basically needs to pick up the phone, assuming it wants the soon-to-be 32-year-old cornerback back in 2022.
Minnesota should absolutely want Peterson back because the CB room as of early March is skimpy. The depth chart consists of Cameron Dantzler, Kris Boyd, and Harrison Hand. Outside of Dantzler — if he continues to develop at his current pace — that is not a fieldable batch of cornerbacks in the modern NFL.
As a result, most mocks draft predict the Vikings select a cornerback like Ahmad Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr. in April’s draft. The selection of either of those men would blend best player available and team need for Minnesota with the 12th overall pick.
Peterson made humongous news when he signed with the Vikings in 2021 — on Saint Patrick‘s Day, no less — as no fans or pundits even realized he was on the team’s radar or vice-versa. However, Peterson sought to play for former coach Mike Zimmer, so the team readily obliged.
Now, Kevin O’Connell is in charge, an offensive-minded coach. O’Connell hired Ed Donatell to lead the defense in 2022, shifting to a 3-4 scheme after decades of 4-3 systems for the Vikings.
Finally, on Tuesday, the Vikings signed linebacker Jordan Hicks from — you guessed it — the Arizona Cardinals, Peterson’s old stomping grounds. The two played together for a couple of seasons in the desert. That move cannot hurt the realism of Peterson re-joining the Vikings.
Plus, there are Chander-Jones-to-Minnesota rumors, as well.
Peterson also mentioned on his show other teams have inquired about his free agency.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. 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).
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