Perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson has agreed on a one-year $ 10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
30-year-old Peterson leaves the Arizona Cardinals as one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history.
He went to eight consecutive Pro Bowls, starting with his rookie year in 2011 and ending in 2019 – when he was ineligible for being suspended six games for violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Peterson is a triple All-Pro.
Peterson’s positional flexibility is a welcome addition to the Vikings secondary with two rookie starters in 2020 between Jeff Gladney, who had 529 snaps lined up last season, and Cameron Dantzler, a third-round pick who has the lowest passer rating in coverage among all rookie corners in the second half of the season (41.9 from week 11-17).
With questions about Mike Hughes’ health and future in the first round of 2018, whose option will likely be rejected by Minnesota for the fifth year, Peterson gives the Vikings stability in the second half of a season in which he has seven pass-breakers. ups, his most since 2013. His three interceptions were the highest since 2016.
Throughout his career, Peterson is widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks, known for his ability to defend the opponent’s top receivers one-on-one on an island. He started all 128 games in the first eight seasons of his career before his suspension. In 2020 he was appointed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the All-Decade Team 2010-2019.
Peterson played all 16 games last season with 61 tackles and three interceptions. He has 28 interceptions in his career.
He went to Free Agency after a five-year extension signed in 2014. Peterson requested an exchange in October 2018 during Arizona’s dismal 3-13 season under former coach Steve Wilks, but he later apologized. However, reports continued to circulate of a broken relationship between Peterson and the Cardinals front office, which cast doubt on his future with the franchise after his contract expired in March.
Courtney Cronin and Josh Weinfuss from ESPN contributed to this report.