The first few weeks of the offseason is a popular time for pundits to suggest roster cut candidates around the NFL. According to multiple writers, cornerback Patrick Peterson should be one of those cut candidates for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly threw cold water on the notion that the Steelers could cut Peterson in his mailbag on February 21.
“I’d put it at a conservative 100 percent chance he returns,” Kaboly wrote to a question on how likely it was Peterson comes back. “Position flexibility, experience and leadership can cost money. They might have plans to move him to safety, which would be interesting.”
In 2024, Peterson will be entering the second year of the 2-year contract he signed with the Steelers last offseason. He will have a $9.775 million cap hit for the upcoming season.
During the 2023 campaign, he recorded 42 combined tackles with 11 pass defenses and 2 interceptions. Peterson played 97% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps in 2023 at various positions in the secondary.
Patrick Peterson to Return to Steelers?
Kaboly suggested that the Steelers have already decided Peterson’s future in Pittsburgh. But on the surface, the team faces a difficult decision with the veteran cornerback.
While Peterson was extremely reliable, finishing first for the Steelers defense in snaps, he isn’t the same All-Pro player he was a decade ago with the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was below average. Among cornerbacks who played at least 80% of his team’s defensive snaps in 2023, Peterson posted the third-worst PFF player grade.
Based on the PFF grades, Peterson experienced a poor first half of the season. His play improved in November but then tailed off again in the final three weeks of the campaign.
