Patrick Peterson Reportedly to Retire with Cardinals After 13-Year NFL Career

Patrick Peterson will reportedly return to Arizona on Monday to retire from the NFL as a member of the Cardinals, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Cardinals selected Peterson with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In 10 seasons with the franchise, he earned eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nods.

After spending the 2011-2020 seasons in Arizona, Peterson joined the Minnesota Vikings for the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. He then signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2023 campaign before being released by the franchise before the 2024 season.

At 34 years old, Peterson is well past his prime. However, he told reporters in March 2024 after becoming a free agent that he was willing to suit up at any position to continue his career.

Peterson said when asked about playing safety:

"Well, that's always kind of been my motto, even when I was a young pup coming into the league when I never really had that opportunity to showcase my different talents. But with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Coach Tomlin gave me that opportunity to do that, and I feel like I excelled at the position pretty well, so I am that guy that's willing to play wherever, whenever, however you need me to play in order to help this defense be successful."

Peterson went unsigned for the 2024 season despite making it known that he was open to continue playing.

He caps off his NFL career having notched 36 interceptions, 122 passes defended, four sacks and 652 tackles in 201 games.