Vikings Star Discusses Desire to Re-Sign in Minnesota
Janik Eckardt
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Multiple Vikings starters are set to become free agents in March when the new league year starts. The defense could lose defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and cornerbacks Duke Shelley and Patrick Peterson.
Peterson discussed his future in the podcast “All Things Covered,” a podcast he hosts with his cousin Bryant McFadden, a former NFL cornerback in his own right. The Vikings star stated his desire to return to Minnesota.
Vikings Star Discusses Desire to Re-Sign in Minnesota
The Vikings’ star cornerback played in the last two seasons for the Vikings under two one-year deals. His 2022 campaign ended with a disappointing postseason loss against the Giants at least one week earlier than expected. However, Peterson has no interest in leaving the organization.
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.
Patrick Peterson on the “All Things Covered” podcast
The NFL is, indeed, a business. However, he signed last season in Minnesota for only $4 million, so he is willing to accept below-market-value contracts just to stay with his team. If he does the same in the upcoming re-signing period, there’s a good chance he’ll be back in purple.
Peterson played in 30 regular season games and one postseason contest in two seasons with the Vikings. He recorded six interceptions in that span and is currently the active defender with the second-most career interceptions, only trailing Devin McCourty, who is expected to retire. Peterson is tied with teammate Harrison Smith. Both have 34 career interceptions.
After a solid 2021 campaign, Peterson played an outstanding 2022 season. He received ten votes for second-team All-Pro and was ranked 12-best cornerback according to PFF.
The cornerback added his frustration about the postseason loss.
It was very disappointing to end the season in the Bank the way we did, to have so much high hopes and aspirations for the team, but the good part about all of it is that I had an opportunity to continue to grow some great relationships that got better from the year previously. Just having an opportunity to be in the tournament, you give yourself a fighting chance, and that’s all you can ask for, especially at this stage of my career.
Patrick Peterson on the “All Things Covered” podcast
Peterson is self-reflective at this stage in his career. He will turn 33 years old before the next season starts and appreciates the relationships he is forming while still playing, but his desire to win is still there.
It was definitely a devastating loss to lose to those guys. We just didn’t win on first down, gave those guys a lot of third-down-and-shorts. Daniel Jones was looking like Michael Vick a little bit out there.
Patrick Peterson on the “All Things Covered” podcast
Daniel Jones looked great against the Vikings in both matchups in Minnesota. Jones recorded 301 passing yards in the postseason game and added 78 yards on the ground. He also played a clean game without turnovers and scored twice.
The defense overall had a horrendous season, and every quarterback they faced looked like an all-time great. For that reason, big changes are necessary, and that could include Peterson.
However, it would undoubtedly help the Vikings to bring back Peterson, considering that the cornerback room is exceptionally young, and the veteran could help them with his experience. 2022 rookies Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth are expected to play larger roles in 2023. On the negative side, Peterson would take away some opportunities from the young players. For the right price, it would make sense to bring him back.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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