Patrick Peterson Reiterates Offseason Desire
Dustin Baker
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If Patrick Peterson ends up with a team not named Minnesota Vikings in 2023, it will be because the team lacked enthusiasm for continuing the relationship.
For months, Peterson has expressed his desire to return with the Vikings for a third season, and this week was no different.
Patrick Peterson Reiterates Offseason Desire
Peterson thrived in 2022, rolling back his internal clock about five years to the defender the world experienced with the Arizona Cardinals. Per Pro Football Focus, Peterson was the NFL’s seventh-best CB last year, quite the production level for a man on a one-year, $4 million contract.
The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson tweeted about Peterson Thursday, “Bryant McFadden, who co-hosts a podcast with Patrick Peterson, said nothing has changed in his desire to re-sign with Vikings. They hope to break such news again on the podcast. ‘Hopefully we do it again and Minnesota is the destination once again. He’d love to come back to Minnesota.'”
And for Peterson, this question about rejoining the Vikings must feel like a broken record. Last November, Peterson was asked about remaining with the Vikings beyond 2022 and replied, “No doubt about it. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I’m not trying to go anywhere but Minnesota. I love everything around here. I would love to stay put.”
In January, he said on the All Things Covered podcast about staying in Minnesota, “I would love to be there in that purple and gold again and give it a run again just because I love the community there. I love the organization. I love the new regime that [was] brought into that building, the trainers, the strength and conditioning staff. It’s just amazing. I truly believe it felt like home for me. I felt like it was a place that I belonged. But we all know it’s a business.”
The next day, Peterson reaffirmed his plans to stay with the Vikings, telling CBS Sports, “I love it there,” in reference to Minneapolis and the Vikings organization.
Meanwhile, Peterson has stated his plan to play two more seasons. If he wants one more “fresh start,” the time is probably now to latch onto a different team. Otherwise, he can return to Minnesota and its CB room that includes Andrew Booth, Cameron Dantzler, and Akayleb Evans.
Peterson’s 2022 teammate Duke Shelley is also a free agent and even played better than Peterson last year, according to Pro Football Focus. About two weeks ago, the Vikings posted a 2022 Shelley highlight reel to Instagram, and the defender commented, “Bring me back.”
Therefore, player-wise, the gang wants to get back together, and we shall see if the Vikings front office agrees.
If the Vikings do not re-sign Peterson or Shelley, they can sign anywhere in the league next week.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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